W. S. Patterson principal says goodbye leaving legacy for school
Clandeboye’s W. S. Patterson Principal Darcelle Saunders said goodbye to her many students at the end of last month as she is retiring after 33 years in education. She leaves some very large shoes to fill, but that’s not all. Saunders presented her school with a hand drum, which will be able to continue to be used by the school to further Indigenous education.
To officially welcome this new drum into the school, on Saunder’s second last day, an assembly was called, and a feasting of the drum ceremony took place.
“On my second last day, what I wanted to do was I wanted to give a very special gift to a very special school,” said Saunders at the assembly, “[William S. Patterson] is a special school. I decided that I was going to gift an Indigenous hand drum to the school.
The drum is beautifully adorned with the image of a dragonfly. Saunders also donated a drum bag that the drum will be kept in. It includes elements of Indigenous culture that reflect the school community, as well as a small ladybug, an animal that Saunders loves.
Jacqueline Bercier, the Cultural Proficiency Lead Teacher for Lord Selkirk School Division, led the drum ceremony’s feasting, giving the drum its voice.
“When we feast a drum, it’s usually for a brand new drum that has been made. When we feast the drum, we give thanks to the voice that it will have and for the stories it will tell and the songs it will tell us,” said Bercier at the assembly.
The ceremony involves placing berries and tobacco on the drum. The drum eats through the face of the drum which is where these items are placed.
Students also received a snack at this time. Afterwards, Bercier sang a welcome song for the first time with the drum.
“We welcome in all of our ancestors and welcome all the people in here listening today to witness this voice that we’re going to be giving to this brand new drum,” she said.
In addition to the feeding of the drum ceremony, a new art installation is going up at the school. On the fence outside passersby will see the Seven Grandfather Teachings represented by their corresponding seven animal representations. The students worked together to create the vision for this project and each class’s voice was represented.
The concept for this project came together last spring with the school’s Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Committee and the idea to make it visible to the community followed.
“Each one of your ideas are on these paintings, and we’ll put them up on the fence today. As your families drive by for months and years to come you’ll be able to say that you had a part in making this happen,” said Saunders.
Saunders wanted to take some time to thank everyone involved with the school.
“I have been absolutely blessed to be the principal here at William S. Patterson School. The community, the staff, the students are absolutely amazing. Six and a half years at William S, we’ve done a lot of great, great things. I’m so proud to be part of this community. We lead with passion and I say we, because it is definitely a team effort. I’ve been surrounded by amazing colleagues, and it’s made the biggest difference. It’s been a tremendous ride and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Photos by Katelyn Boulanger and Brett Mitchell
