Aboriginal Arts and Stories Contest – Open until March 31, 2014

Aboriginal Arts & Stories (formerly the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge), the largest Aboriginal-focused contest of its kind in Canada. Aboriginal Arts & Stories invites self-identified Aboriginal youth between the ages of 11-29 to create a piece of art or writing that explores a significant moment or theme in their culture for a chance to win up to $2,000 and also to have their work exhibited or published. Program patrons include writer Joseph Boyden, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and artist Kent Monkman. Click on the link below to view the poster.

ArtsStoriesPoster- ArtsRecits (1) copy

The program is also a great educational opportunity, and curriculum-based teaching resources are available to encourage educators to use the contest as a classroom activity.

On-line Aboriginal Resources

Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools

This website offers a variety of books selected and evaluated by teacher-librarians

http://books.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/AbCat2013_Web.pdf

 Indigenous Foundations UBC

This website offers a variety of resources to explore topics that relate to Aboriginal people, culture, and histories.

http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/

Topics such as: Identity, Land and Rights, Government Policy, Community and Politics, Culture, Global Indigenous Issues, Video Resources and Guide Pages

UBC Library

http://www.library.ubc.ca/

Go to the Search Collections – Drop Down Menu

Search Guides – on the right hand side half way down – Brows by Subject

An alphabetized list appears choose First Nations Studies – Drop Down Menu

• Aboriginal Children’s Literature – Lesson Plans, Bibliographies and an Evaluation of Books Tool and Check list
• Aboriginal Films
• Aboriginal Languages
• Aboriginal Law – Legislation and Treaties, Case Studies, Specialty Databases
• Aboriginal Maps and Mapping – Treaty Maps
• Aboriginal News Media, Distributors, and Publishers
• Residential Schools
• Aboriginal Studies
• Indigenous Education – Curriculum Resources – Lesson Plans K-12

Art History – Drop Down Menu

• First Nations Art
• Northwest Coast Art
• Websites
• On-line Exhibits

Under the UBC Library General Tab

Douglas Treaties

http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/406899/history_douglas.pdf

Where Are the Children – interactive website

http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/

• Interactive history of residential schools
• Maps of various residential schools across Canada
• Listen to survivors share their story
• Textbooks and teachers guide

2012-2013 Aboriginal Snowboard Team

Chris Ohama – Coach & Jenoah Esquiro – Coach

1. Lacey Constucci- Phillips – Gladstone Secondary

2. Ekena Anigbo – Vancouver Technical Secondary

3. Trask Bryant – Kitsilano Secondary 

4. Parker Tubman – King George Secondary

5. Duncan MacNaughton – King George Secondary 

6. Eagle Daniels – Britannia Secondary – Outreach

7. Brenden Guerin – Kitsilano Secondary 

8.  Samantha Louise Dawson – Britannia Secondary – Streefront

9.  Opichee Aquash – Britannia Secondary 

10. Melaina Joseph – Britannia Secondary – Outreach 

11. Omina Mehri – Killarney Secondary 

12. Jeffrey Tom – Britannia Secondary – Outreach

13. Noah Pilz – Bing Secondary

14. Mufasa Gardner – Templeton Secondary 

15. Riley Jose Ballentyne – Britannia Secondary – Outreach

16. Tori Tubman – King George Secondary 

17. Simon Tommy – Britannia Secondary – Outreach 

National Louis Riel Day November 16, 2012

Louis Riel: A Canadian Hero

The Métis promoted their sense of identity under the leadership of Louis Riel. This short video clip will share some of Louis Riel’s triumphs and tribulations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulbgx–7J0w&list=LPQMPHOT3Yhc4&index=5&feature=plcp

VSB’s First Peoples Festival at the Museum of Anthropology

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/first-peoples-festival-video-showcases-rich-collaboration

Here is the video of our 1st Annual First Peoples Festival which was held at the Museum of Anthropology on April  23rd and 24th, 2012.

We have booked  our 2nd First Peoples Festival which will be at the Museum of Anthropology on April 29th, and 30th, 2013. We will have one day for secondary students and the other day for elementary students. Sho Sho Esquiro will be showcasing her new clothing line at the festival. Stay tuned for more info as we progress with the planning….

VSB’s Aboriginal Snowboard Team video

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/aboriginal-snowboard-team-makes-difference-lives

Here is a link to showcase our Aboriginal Snowboard Team. We are just organizing our second season up at Cypress which will start in December 2012 and go until April 2013. For more information please contact:

Renee Diemert
Aboriginal Education
Vancouver School Board
778-233-6350

Broadway Youth Resource Centre

A One Stop Approach to Community Based Resources

#103- 2780 East Broadway

604-709-5720

The new location provides youth with many services and community connections please visit their website for a list of their services.

http://www.pcrs.ca/

Vancouver School Board’s Aboriginal Focus School is up and running!!

Macdonald Elementary School

1950 E. Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC, V5L 1T7

Phone: 604-713-4696

Are you interested in you son or daughter attending our Aboriginal Focus School? The VSB is excited about its new Aboriginal Focus School that will house high quality programming based on provincial standards within Aboriginal content and context. While an Aboriginal Focus School cannot include all Aboriginal history and/or culture it will include common core values that honor ancestry, respect the land, foster experiential learning, focus on the importance of family and community and the teachings of the medicine wheel, etc. Recent community forums showed broad support for an Aboriginal school of choice, not mandatory and not segregating Aboriginal students.

Our Aboriginal Focus School will be open to everyone who believes in the concept whether or not they are Aboriginal. Our school has started with primary grades(Kindergarten to grade three) to ensure that things are done well, and then build upon that foundation in future years.

http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/macdonald/Pages/default.aspx

Happy Aboriginal Day!!!

On June 21st, Canadians from all walks of life are invited to participate in the many National Aboriginal Day events that will be taking place from coast to coast to coast.

June 21st kick starts the 11 days of Celebrate Canada! which includes National Aboriginal Day (June 21), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and concludes with Canada Day (July 1)!

Whistler Leadership Conference