Centennial College and the Pimooteewin Closing Ceremony was mentioned at the end of CBC's evening news last night!
Click here for CBC's < VIDEO LINK > and fast forward to marker 9:30 to see our 40 second spotlight.
Pimooteewin Program / Centennial College
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Program Closing Ceremony (Part 1)
March 31st, 2011 marks the last day of classes for the Pimooteewin students...
In recognition of our three semesters together with over 50 students this past year, Pimooteewin held a huge celebration tonight (March 30th). Dozens of people from the aboriginal community attended the event, sharing in the singing, dancing, and feasting to help close the program in a special Closing Ceremony. The five Elders who taught traditional teachings to the students throughout the year were also present to share their wisdom and reflections on the program.
Here was the agenda for the night:
(Part 2 will include videos and pictures from tonight's event.)
In the meantime, please watch our highlights < VIDEO CLIP > shown at the event, which includes many of the fun and exciting activities the students participated in over the course of the year.
In recognition of our three semesters together with over 50 students this past year, Pimooteewin held a huge celebration tonight (March 30th). Dozens of people from the aboriginal community attended the event, sharing in the singing, dancing, and feasting to help close the program in a special Closing Ceremony. The five Elders who taught traditional teachings to the students throughout the year were also present to share their wisdom and reflections on the program.
Here was the agenda for the night:
(Part 2 will include videos and pictures from tonight's event.)
In the meantime, please watch our highlights < VIDEO CLIP > shown at the event, which includes many of the fun and exciting activities the students participated in over the course of the year.
Posted by Karen Craigs
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Quick Class Poll
Today in class we asked the students a few questions about the program. Here's what they had to say:
Q: What will you take with you, having progressed through the Pimooteewin program?
"My smarts."
"My math!"
"That book that you read in class, "Rich by Thirty". I didn't get to read it but I want to."
Q: What made the most impact?
"Being motivated to do better in my life, to come to school. Time management skills will help me a lot!"
"The trips -- I've never been to the ROM or the AGO."
"The people in the classroom. It was awesome for the people who showed up regularly."
"The awesome food... and the free tokens."
Q: What would you change for next time?
"I'd change my attitude towards math next time -- it's not as bad as I think sometimes... as long as I think."
"I would change the way that it is taught, make it more strict. Like, giving consequences or more homework."
"Maybe do one take-home assignment every week."
"Windows that open."
"No windows!"
"I want to see more people, more that are willing to be here every day."
"Absolutely nothing."
Q: What are your next steps?
"I want to do more outreach in the community for the program."
"I need to find a job where I can do some reading, writing, and math."
"I'm going to try to find a job in the community, like, to work with the community."
"I want to apply to Native Child this year!"
This program has been such a unique and memorable experience for everyone involved. We'd love to hear your comments and feedback in the form below!
Q: What will you take with you, having progressed through the Pimooteewin program?
"My smarts."
"My math!"
"That book that you read in class, "Rich by Thirty". I didn't get to read it but I want to."
Q: What made the most impact?
"Being motivated to do better in my life, to come to school. Time management skills will help me a lot!"
"The trips -- I've never been to the ROM or the AGO."
"The people in the classroom. It was awesome for the people who showed up regularly."
"The awesome food... and the free tokens."
Q: What would you change for next time?
"I'd change my attitude towards math next time -- it's not as bad as I think sometimes... as long as I think."
"I would change the way that it is taught, make it more strict. Like, giving consequences or more homework."
"Maybe do one take-home assignment every week."
"Windows that open."
"No windows!"
"I want to see more people, more that are willing to be here every day."
"Absolutely nothing."
Q: What are your next steps?
"I want to do more outreach in the community for the program."
"I need to find a job where I can do some reading, writing, and math."
"I'm going to try to find a job in the community, like, to work with the community."
"I want to apply to Native Child this year!"
This program has been such a unique and memorable experience for everyone involved. We'd love to hear your comments and feedback in the form below!
Posted by Karen Craigs
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Making Drums
In March, special guest and local drummaker Steve Teagan came in to Centennial to teach our class how to make drums.
We used special wood and deerskin materials as a base, and Steve taught us the traditional teachings behind the story of the drum.
Check out our < VIDEO LINK > on YouTube from the day!
We used special wood and deerskin materials as a base, and Steve taught us the traditional teachings behind the story of the drum.
Check out our < VIDEO LINK > on YouTube from the day!
Posted by Karen Craigs
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Art Gallery of Ontario Trip
In the middle of February, a bunch of us took the subway downtown for the day to spend some time at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Afterward we chatted about the galleries that were interesting or that grabbed our attention. (Unfortunately there are no photos or videos allowed inside the exhibits so we went outside to film it.)
Watch our video on YouTube here: < VIDEO LINK >
Smerf, Kyle, and Mitch, chillin' in front of the AGO |
Watch our video on YouTube here: < VIDEO LINK >
Posted by Karen Craigs
Friday, March 18, 2011
Kenekuk's prayer
Kenekuk was the last chief of the Vermillion River Kickapoo, who lived in unceded territory between the Wabash and Vermillion Rivers along what is now the Indiana- Illinois border. This is also where part of my family originates. Kenekuk was a prophet with great skills in oratory and negotation. He kept his people together in the face of increased military pressure and settler expansion through spiritual power and charisma and by adopting some aspects of the settler religion within which he maintained and revitalized the spiritual and cultural traditions of the Nations of the Northwest Confederacy.
Kenekuk was not a war chief. He used political savvy and the newcomers own beliefs to provide a place for his people to live in their lands. He also did not shirk from conflict, lending shelter and aid to the Mesquakie (Fox) led by Blackhawk who returned to their traditional territory during what is called the Backhawk War.
By late 1835 and 1836 under threat of being massacred by the U.S. military and mobs (militia) from local towns and facing the tremendous deprivation of winter, Kenekuk agreed to leave the Vermillion River territory and to move to reservations, first in present day Missouri and then in Kansas. One of the hundreds of trails of tears that mark our collective histories.
I wrote this poem in a moment of clarity and spiritual understanding; an understanding of the conflicted and ambivalent nature of the human condition. I found connection between the powerful and deeply moving dilemma faced by Kenekuk and his people, a dilemma also faced by hundreds of Nations on Turtle Island, and my own, much smaller yet not insignificant struggle to understand my own identity, my path in this life, and to comprehend the depth and breadth of human suffering and joy. From this internal struggle, I took Kenekuk as my spirit name to honour the spirit of this brilliant prophet.
we are human
we are native
divided skies
denied justice
hear the drum
heartbeat call
the blood runs red
sun rises high
and the thunderbird screams
nanbush turns into salty rain
try to hide behind
our fragile selves
made of clay
find sacred earth
the sand now slipping
through our fingers
swallows us whole
eventually
like the giant serpent ride
through dark tunnels
endless chasms sprial
downward
we search the walls
for purchase
and we grasp
only soft sweet skin
in the fading dusk
of our one day
finding some comfort
in the brush of a hand
and the smell of your hair
on this light we drift back
this moment might show us
eternity
and smell the sweetgrass
and cedar
the sage
and the tobacco
with which we heal
give thanks
and find
forgiveness
forgive us our tiny souls
collective pin drops
in the vast endlessness
of manitou and god
forgive us our ancestor
as we embrace you
your wisdom
forgive us our blindness
for we could not see:
we are human
we are native
--Keith Crowe
Pimooteewin Learner and Teacher
Nightmares
This is a poem I wrote after having a bad dream. It`s something that is hard to explain until you have noticed it yourself. Everyone has their own views of dreams and this is mine:
Nightmare
Sleepless nights
Dark shadows
Fighting to wake up
Crying from fear
Yelling Screaming
Not Believing
The False Facts of this Scenario
Holding her tight with the fear in her eyes
Cursing words thrown left to right
Not knowing where to turn
Running in circles
Pain surrounding my body
Shock paring through my soul
This Unknown Heavy breathing
Like I heard before
This evil laughter
Dark shadows
Fighting to wake up
Crying from fear
Yelling Screaming
Not Believing
The False Facts of this Scenario
Holding her tight with the fear in her eyes
Cursing words thrown left to right
Not knowing where to turn
Running in circles
Pain surrounding my body
Shock paring through my soul
This Unknown Heavy breathing
Like I heard before
This evil laughter
That Wont leave me alone
Posted by Amanda Bourque (aka Suzy)
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