Morden students got a little taste of tradition for National Indigenous Peoples Day last week.
Spearheaded by Maple Leaf School teacher Andrei Mardli and in partnership with the local Truth and Action Working Group, the initiative saw students get to enjoy some bannock last Friday.
A group of volunteers got together Thursday to make all of the bannock that was then served up by students.
It was part of activities at the school that also included Indigenous related phys-ed games as well and other classroom activities, and it was supported by a $1,000 grant from the Manitoba Teachers Society for social justice initiatives,
“I was very happy that we are able to collaborate on this project,” said Mardli, who explained he idea was to just expose the kids to some kind of Indigenous culture, and food seemed to be a good way to do it.
“It was just kind of an entry point,” he suggested. “It’s a very hands-on activity, and there’s a school community piece to it where we make something and we’re giving it to the school.
“There’s lots of positive benefits to it,” Mardli said. “They’re enjoying it, and they get to taste something new.”
The Truth and Action Working Group volunteers were keen to get involved, said group member Dianne Hildebrand, who noted they had been considering how they could participate in and support the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day this year.
“We were pleased with how the event came together in Morden in 2023 and are grateful for local support … but we were concerned that the majority of support and funding came from Indigenous groups themselves.
“We decided our focus this year would be to advertise and encourage participation in Indigenous-led events, including those closer to our area,” she noted, citing such examples as the Indigenous Day celebrations in Winnipeg as well as the powwow at Swan Lake First Nation this weekend.
“Our hope is to continue building relationships, both personally and among our communities, schools and leaders, as this is the basis for steps toward reconciliation.”
You can follow the Truth and Action Working Group on Facebook.
