Charles Austin's students at Terry Fox Elementary were creating projects on different cultures. Through an ArtSmart grant, Mr. Austin was able to give students an opportunity to create symbols representing aspects of their chosen culture. Student, Landon Peter Paul, chose to learn and present on the Mi’kmaq culture. The chosen symbol was the drum, utilizing the grant a traditional hand drum kit was purchased and an Elder, Steven Peter Paul of Pabineau First Nation, spent some time with Landon teaching him how to make and care for the drum, the cultural teachings associated with the drum as well as taught Landon a song. Drums are an important part of the Mi’kmaq culture and there are many teachings regarding the drum. The drum helps us to connect with Mother Earth, it takes us to a special place inside where we can reconnect to mind, body, emotions and spirits. The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth, the first sound we heard in the world. The drum when combined with the voice creates a hum that rests between the voice and the drum and is thought to be the spirits of the ancestors. The drum is medicine. Respect it well and it will help guide you. (Elder Christine Metallic)

The ASD-N Spirit Bear family tree grew last week when Ms. Beaven and Mrs. Bourque's class from Terry Fox Elementary welcomed a Spirit Bear into their classroom. Students worked with Elder Stephen Peter-Paul from Pabineau First Nation to name the bear and as part of the ceremony students had a feast of salmon. There was special signifigance to this particular bear because it is the first female bear in the family tree. Students narrowed down potential names after some group discussion and decided to name her Honey Berry which in Mi'kmaq would be Sismoqnapu Minijk. The students were joined by some honoured guests which included Superintendent Mark Donovan. He was so impressed by the program that he would like more Spirit Bears added to the family tree throughout the school district. Spirit Bear adds an Indigenous perspective into the classroom while learning valuable social emotional skills. Mrs. Bourque shared that this was the best program she has been involved with in her 38 years of teaching. The positive changes she has observed in her students has been phenomenal. A huge thank you and appreciation goes to First Nation Education Lead Patricia Miller for integrating and developing the Spirit Bear program in ASD-N.