Olympic Fever! Thanks to Metis Youth B.C. the Aboriginal Education Support Room has been given two Men's Olympic hockey tickets to Feb 20th's Germany vs. Belarus game.A lucky winner will be going to the game and "Proud to be Metis".  

Tracing Your Aboriginal Ancestry

These are some of the phases people find themselves in when they want to know their family tree. Some have a status card - others know they had an Aboriginal ancestor in the family tree but don't know how to trace it. Some don't know that if they had a grandparent or great grandparent who was native, that they are still considered native.

I hear it from time to time in the questions or statements kids make. " How native do you have to be?" or" I think I am a little bit native" To that I respond, " Do you know if you are Metis, First Nations or Inuit. There are three distinct groups that are all Aboriginal". So many of these students do not know that by self identifying as an Aboriginal student, that there are services at school that are available to them, like help with school work, a.k.a. academic support or awesome cultural events like the ones on this blog. There are even outside agencies for people who are going through a hard time with Mental Health issues or those that are university bound, looking for a scholarship.

The exciting thing is that in this day and age we can all be proud of our heritage, whether you are Aboriginal, African or Asian or Caucasian or a mix.

Come see me and try out the Family Tree Builder if you want to take a peak at your family tree.

Eagle Song Dancers from Squamish Nation performing on Monday

On Monday Nov. 23, the Eagle Song Dancers will perform in the big gym for all of the students. At the same time we will be serving free Bannock! Come out and try this taste of Aboriginal Culture. Eagle Song Dancers are from Squamish Nation, one of the Four Host Nations of the 2010 Winter Olympic.

Here are some pictures from their performance.

Horseback Riding At Mustang Stables

October was good time to go horseback riding. We had beautiful weather for the most part...until we went horseback rifding. That did not stop the twenty people who went to the Mustang Riding Stables in Mission.Wwe waded through deep water on horseback, galloped down trails and sat around the fire back at the lodge. WOW! What an adventure.

Quadra Island Grade 12 Trip

Tsa -Kwa-Luten Lodge on Quadra Island was recently visited by some grade 12 Aboriginal Students from Mouat for a trip of a lifetime. We went on Aboriginal Journeys, a marine wildlife tour, for four hours where we experienced ocean tidal rapid, porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Blue heron, eagles, harbour seals, and fun! We learned about the culture of the Wei-Wai_Kai people and were fed a traditional First Nations BBQ salmon feast! This amazing group of young people toured Quadra Island like adults making me proud of them wherever we went. The Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre was a highlight for many where we were able to try on regalia and masks. We all learned so much and ate like kings and queens at the beautiful lodge where we stayed.

Welcome Back!

The fall is off to a great start!In September, eighteen Mouat Aboriginal students went on a River Rafting trip on the Fraser River with Sto:lo historian Sonny McHalsie. We ate lunch on the beach and saw mile zero on the Cariboo Wagon Road.

Year End Pizza Party June 16th

Yes it is June and time for studying for those final exams, but let's make sure we get together on the last day of school for a pizza party and cake, too! It has been such a pleasure to be a part of W.J. Mouat this year and I look forward to seeing you all in the fall too. Make sure you come by June 16th at lunch for a Summer Farewell !