Canoe Lake Miksiw School

November 2021

News Letter

Principals Message,

Tānisi nehiyaw opasihkwenwak,

ni-miyowitin kakiyaw instotiman masinakewin. takwākin oma. awasisakekwa oskāyak metawewak

wayawetimihk.

In this November Edition of our monthly newsletter, we will have each submission complete with what is

happening in the classroom, a Cree section of the classroom submissions. This new component of the

newsletter adds value and understanding of student success in each classroom.

This month’s nehiyaw theme is, nehiyawitwawin: it means "speaks plains Cree." The state of being nehiyaw.

The teacher engages with students as nehiyaw human beings, honors their "nehiyaw-ness" of students.

November is a time for reflection and communication at Canoe Lake MIksiw School. We start the month off

by stopping to remember the men and women who fought to keep our country free on Remembrance Day.

This year our Remembrance Day virtual ceremony will take place on November 10th starting at 10:30 a.m.

and all are welcome to attend to honor the sacrifices made by so many.

The school will be closed on Thursday, November 11- Remembrance Day and Friday, November 12- First Na-

tions Unity Day for all students. We will also be hosting our 15th Annual Youth Conference on November 18-

19 for Grades 7-12. There will be no school for Elementary: Nursery- Grade 6.

November 17 is picture day, this year we will be giving out complimentary packages to each student during

this age of Covid-19, further information will be given out. On Thursday, November 24 we will be having an

early dismissal at 12:00 p.m. for our Report Card Day. Parent/ Teacher Interviews will be from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

November is also the time for communicating about academics. I encourage you to talk with your child no

matter their grade on how they think they are doing in school. It is never too early to show that you care

about your child’s success. This type of open communication sets the stage for success and understanding for

the rest of the school year.

Thank you for your time and always feel free to contact us. As well, keep updated on our school Facebook

page, as well on our website www.canoelakeschool.ca and click on the Latest News link.

kinanaskomitinawaw.

In the Spirit of Manacihitowin,

Nursery Tansi,

Nursery is off to a great start with our A,B,C's and 1,2,3's. I am still testing all of my students till the end of

November. I will be sending home some worksheets to help us print our names, numbers and our ABC's.

In Cree we are learning how to say" Hello, How are you".

This Month Nursery Students will be learning about Remembrance Day and why we celebrate with Stories and

Videos.

Stay Safe!

Rosa Iron—Nursery Teacher

Holly Iron—Educational Assistant (AM)

Kindergarten Tansi,

One of the songs we have been practicing is the "Morning Song" which you can practise at home too. The song

can be found on youtube.

Waniska wake up

piwahpan oma the sun is coming

asay piyesisak ki-nikamowak the birds are already singing

e-miyonakwan kitaskinaw how beautiful this land of ours is

We have done 20 sounds of the alphabet, some sight words and working on patterns in math. Laura is currently

working on rhyming words and Holly works one on one with fine motor skills and IXL with the students.

I will be sending home ideas to improve speech and one of the suggestions is having conversations. Books can

be great language builders. We are starting our home reading program and we'll see how many parents

participate, so far we have one reading log returned.

Lorna Iron—Teacher

Laura Kykannen— ELI

Holly Iron— Educational Assistant (PM)

Grade One Tansi Kakiyaw Onekihikiwak

Welcome to November, 2021

Grade 1 has been busy with Math and Language Arts. We have been working on sight words, along with a

reading program. The students have also been learning some Cree words using ASLA, plus learning to

introduce themselves in Cree.

We will be focusing on Remembrance Day for the first part of November, learning about the sacrifices that

veterans have made.

Winter is coming, please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. I am available on my

cell or else through the school if you have any questions about your child.

Ekosi, Hiy Hiy.

Freida Iron, Grade 1 Teacher

Reba Iron, EA

Grade Two “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so.. Get on your way!-Dr. Seuss.”

Tansi,

Remembrance Day is on November 11. We will recognize this day on November 10, 2021.

Tansi, niya oma Janice. Nehiyaw Opasihk oci. Treaty 10 Territory. Our grade 2 class is learning how to

introduce ourselves in Cree during our morning routines. We have come a long way from last month.

We are work on beginning, middle, and end on our stories in ELA. In math, we are finishing up our Patterns

unit and will be working on Numbers and Operations.

We continue to work on Animated literacy. I will be starting our home reading program soon. Books will be

sent home.

It is starting to get cold outside. Please remember to send your children with warm clothing.

Thank you,

Janice Corrigal—Grade 2 Teacher

Sasha Laliberte—Educational Assistant

Grade Three Happy November everyone.

“In Flanders field, the poppies blow between the crosses row on row”

Tānsi! Amanda Bell nitisiyihkāson. Nēhiyāw ōhpāsihk ohci nīya.

Every morning, we will start our day with a community circle, the students will need to introduce themselves

in Cree.

In math we are finished our Units of Patterns. We will be starting on our unit whole numbers to 1000 in

Mathematics. In ELA, we work on writing, daily reading, comprehension, and word work. For comprehension,

we will continue to work on beginning, middle and end, sequencing, and story element. For writing, we will

continue to work on writing complete sentences. For word work, we will focus on sight words and high

frequency words. In social studies we are finishing up our unit, Communities. In Science we will continue to

work on our unit Plant Growth and Changes.

Some things your child/children can do while learning from home are; Raz-kids and IXL.

If your child/children have not received their usernames and passwords, please let me know.

If you have any questions or concern, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. You can contact me at the school

at (306) 829-2012.

Amanda Bell—Grade 3 Teacher

Sharon Bouvier—Educational Assistant

Grade Four Some of the things the students enjoyed about October:

Kaycee—I liked school and thanksgiving and Halloween.

Caleigh—I liked Halloween.

Lilou—Trick or Treating.

Jada—Halloween

Sapphire—Because it is Thanksgiving and Halloween because we can go trick or treating.

Storm—Running around with the leaves.

Sonny & Treyton—Halloween

Ariel—I like Halloween because I can go trick or treating with my family.

Jasper—Trick or treating. Thank you from the Grade 4 Students!!

Grade Five

Hello From the Grade 5 Classroom!!!

We have been working hard on incorporating Cree into the everyday classroom routine.

Right now we are working on asking to use the bathroom and asking to fill up their water bottles...Nohti

waweyan and nohti sakiskinitan oma

We are also working on introducing ourselves: Tansi Nisikason Kellie Bouvier Neheyo Opaskik oci niya.

We will be celebrating Remembrance Day and honoring and paying tribute to the Men and Women who

fought for our Country.

Please continue your dedication to Education and Keep

safe!!

Thank you,

Kellie Bouvier—Grade 5 Teacher

Kelsey Bouvier—Educational Assistant

Grade Six Tansi,

Grade 6 have been practicing introducing themselves in Cree every morning. We also play Cree number bingo

on Fridays. The students had fun at hunting camp on October 4th Kevin showed them how to prepare pihew's

and a wapos. In Science we are learning about the diversity of living things, we went out on a nature walk

with the LLRC catalyst to learn about the Trees in our community.

Thank You,

Crystal Yew—Grade 6 Teacher

Tyra Iron—Educational Assistant

Grade Seven Tansi!

Namoya nantaw nista. November is around the corner. I have sent home an immunization parent consent for

their second shot that they should have gotten last year in grade 6, please send it back with your child. If your

child has any symptoms or is not feeling well, please stay home and let me know as soon as you can. I can

make arrangements for homework packages.

Thank you, Ekosi

Ms.Mistickokat—Grade 7 Teacher

Grade Nine Tansi,

Here is an update cupcakes from our grade 8 classroom,

In regards to land based learning in the classroom we had gone to the hunting camp and some of the grade 8’s

that attended were able to cut up a whole moose and cut up some rabbit. It was a very awesome experience for

the kids, they really enjoyed the day out at the camp. The students have also learned how to make a

dreamcatcher using willow, thank you Calvin for teaching us.

The 8th graders have been working on a mini novel in regards to land based learning and residential schools,

they are really enjoying this novel. One of the activities the students have been working on is learning about

the traditional medicines that reside on our land. They did a short research project on traditional

medicines. We are looking forward to going out with Kevin in the future to learn about Chaga and to pick the

Chaga.

We are looking towards starting to fundraise for our year end trip, I will keep parents informed as to future

fundraising. Thank you for your continuous support from home, it really means a lot.

Yours in education,

Jolene Yew, Grade 8 Teacher

Jerome Laliberte, Grade 8 Educational Assistant

Grade Nine Ta-kîhcinâhoyahk îkâ ta-waniskisiyahk – Lest We Forget

Tanisi, Grown Ups and Care Providers.

This month’s news letter is to share the importance of remembering those that gave the ultimate sacrifices for

our freedoms. During the month of November – iyikopiwipîsim, I ask the home/grandparents – kihtehayah to

share the History of Community, the History of Canada as they remember. It is vital that the knowledge of the

kihtehayowin be shared with the generations to follow. The sharing of knowledge in our homes, is the true

education that each child requires. This is to help them become confident moving forward as “they know from

where they came”. At this time, I thank the Grown

Ups and Care Providers for their continued support

with the Grade 9 Classroom. Should you have a

concern, please feel free to contact myself at Canoe

Lake Miksiw School @ (306) 829-2012.

Thank You,

Chadwick Favel—Grade 9 Teacher

Amy Opikokew—Educational Assistant

Elementary Vice Principal/

Literacy Catalyst Tanisi kakiyaw, kegats ta mispok. Iyikopiwipisim oma, pogo ka-kehcinahoyahk eka ta-ki-wanikiskisiyahk. We

need to make sure that we do not forget all the brave soldiers, who have served to give us our freedom. The

following is an article about a Battle Ballad written by Rev. Canon Edward Ahenakew.

From the January 29, 1921 issue of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune (held in the digital collections of the Uni-

versity of Manitoba Archives), comes a Battle Ballad written by Rev. Canon Edward Ahenakew, looking back

on the First World War.

Ahenakew told the writer, Professor W.I. Allison, that the poem is based in fact, but takes some liberties with

the truth. It a reflection on the service of two of Ahenakew’s cousins, James and Johnny Ballendine, both

distinguished snipers, one of whom served at Givenchy in 1915. In fact, James Ballendine – whose rifle butt

featured 36 notches in 1916, lived to tell the tale, though he carried shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life.

The fifth stanza is written in Ahenakew’s own Plains Cree, transliterated tentatively into SRO here with help

from Arok Wolvengrey:

nikī-itēyihtēn māka

kita-wāpahtamān

Saskatchewan kitaskīnaw

kā-kī-sākihtāyān māka manitow kīskinam

nipimātisiwin

wiya ayisk atayaniw

tipēyimiwēwin.

Freely translated in the article: “I had hoped – to see again – Saskatchewan, our own land, which I love. But it

is the will of God to cut off my life, for His is the governing power.”

This information was found on The Cree Literacy Network, under the Category: Remembrance Day. It is a

great site to see some examples of how our Indigenous Veterans used their own Cree words during the war.

A quick update on October happenings at the school. Teachers have been very busy testing students, so groups

and placements for instructions can be determined. Eliza Doyle has started the Wednesday and Tuesday music

program. She is in the classrooms for Nursery to Grade 4 and is providing small group instruction for Grades

5-12. Eliza also has a community music program on Wednesday evenings, this takes place at the hall.

Daphnie Pooyak, traditional teacher visited our school and she did classroom presentations, the students

enjoyed the stories she shared. Lastly, our school was part of the Indigo Adopt a school program, two Indigo

stores in Ontario raised funds for our school library. We will be using those funds to purchase current and

Indigenous content materials.

Ekosi tama, take care and stay safe.

Adele Iron

Elementary Vice Principal

High School Vice Principal Tansi,

In Psychology 20 - our students will have completed Unit 3 - "How we interact in a social world". We have

discussed social movements and are working towards "dysfunctional behavior" and will investigate topics such

as addiction and personality disorders. Our final project is a research-based project of the student's choice.

High School News

Students have been working hard, and doing their best, quad 1 will end on November 4 and November 5 is

credit recovery day - those students will be given extra time to complete the credit requirements. Student lists

for quad 2 are posted by Leanne's office. The deadline for registration for Quad 2 is November 10.

We are in the midst of planning our 15th annual youth conference on November 18 & 19. (Pending Covid,

Pandemic Committee, and CLCFN approval) We will follow strict protocols to ensure staff and student safety.

At this time the conference is closed to the public.

FTV - Following their Voices is an initiative designed to raise the educational achievement and participation

of Saskatchewan's First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. It focuses on enhancing relationships between

students and teachers, creating structures and supports for teachers and school administrators to co-construct

teaching and learning interactions with students, and creating safe, well-managed learning environments.

Schools closely monitor students’: • credit progress and achievement; • attendance; • engagement and

participation; • graduation rates in high schools; and, • literacy and numeracy levels in the elementary and

middle years’ grades.

Teachers meet weekly to discuss student progress and what they are working on during class. Student surveys

are almost complete. We as a staff review this opportunity to examine students' "voice" about learning in the

school. (Survey is for students grade 4-12) Parent survey - we will conduct the draw the first week of

November, please go to the school Facebook page to click on the link and reply done in the comments. (Only

parents and guardians of Canoe Lake Miksiw school please)

"If you do not know who you are, then you believe what people say about you". We work hard to ensure our

students know who they are, as Neyihaw ohpasihk from Treaty 10 territory. Students are taught local history

with pride as original stewards of the land.

Geraldine Delorme-Bouvier

High School Vice Principal

English Tansi

The first two months have seemed to fly by. It’s hard to believe that we are already in November. It is

important to note that Quad 1 will be ending on November 4th, 2021 and Quad 2 will begin November 8th,

2021. Please ensure that your child(ren) have been working toward achieving their credits for their classes.

For Quad 2, I will be continuing with Law 30. We are currently learning about the Criminal Law System of

Canada and we will be moving onto the Civil Law System of Canada. The new Quad 2 classes that I will be

teaching are English 30A and English 10B. In English 30A, we will be studying various authors and stories

written about Canada. We will be reading several Indigenous stories from across the country. In English 10B,

we will be reading stories, poems, essays and articles about The World Around Us, Equality, and Ethics.

Remember that if you ever have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me.

Teacher: Katie Lariviere

Educational Assistant: Amy Opikokew

Math TANSI!

Remembrance Day is slowly approaching, where we remember all the men and women that fought in the

war. I remember growing up, that it was celebrated by everyone.

Mamitonimayakwaw anik kakitonotinikicihk, miciht miya oci pikiwiwak.

Kwayas atitakayaw ekwa, poko awasisahk kwayas kitapotawisicihk.

Kikac oma Quad 1 takisitayak. Awasisak pokotahkamimocihk, takiskinamasocihk.

We are advising the students to attend classes, as we are approaching the last week of Quad 1.

Ekosi,

Linda Lariviere

Science Happy November Everyone,

We will be finishing quad one on the fourth and we will be starting quad two classes shortly after. Parents/

Guardians of new grade 10 students: please contact me as your earliest availability regarding the student’s

Science 10 class. Students in Health Science 20 have completed the majority of their coursework and will be

completing a final project due on November 4th, 2021.

Once quad 2 begins we will be starting a robotics and coding after school program for high school students. I

look forward to learning more about our 21st century skills with those students interested. I will have the

privilege of teaching Forensic Science 20, a new course to Sasktachewan and we have a copious amount of

hands-on activities planned for those registered to the course. In the afternoons I will be teaching Biology 30, a

prerequisite for most university science courses.

GRADE 8’

I will continue to teach the grade 8 students their math and science units. As a reminder to parents/guardians:

these classes are every morning from 9am - 10am in my room. We are currently learning about Optics and

Light in their science course and the students have witnessed demonstrations about reflection and refraction. In

math class, we will continue to focus on our math fluency and applying this knowledge to the grade 8

curriculum. The students will be honing their ability to calculate square roots, fractions and integers.

With the winter months approaching, we will begin to incorporate lessons of storytelling into your courses

where applicable.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding your student’s progress during parent/teacher conferences later

this month.

ekosi

Ms. Bird

Phys. Ed.

Hello,

First of all, I would like to announce that we had our Jr Girls Volleyball Team attend the BRAA units in Ile-a-

la-crosse on October 21st. The Jr Girls just fell short of winning a bronze medal by losing their B-Finals

match. Nice try, you’ll get them next time.

The Sr Boys Volleyball team will be heading to Conference Championships in Piercland, Sk and there is no set

date for that yet as I am currently waiting for an email from the host team with the date of the Championships.

If you have any questions, please free to contact me at the school at 306-829-2012 or via email at den-

nis.ironjr@mltc.ca

Thank you,

Dennis Iron Jr.

Math Catalyst IXL PIZZA AWARDS!

Every month, one (1) student in grades 7 to 12 will have an opportunity to win one (1)

extra large pizza from a local restaurant here in Canoe Lake First Nation.

To be eligible you will need an active IXL.com subscription. The winning criteria will be

the student who satisfies the most learning outcomes in math.

Thank you,

Leighton Wensley

Student Services

Tansi. Anohc oma neso kisikaw nestanaw-nikotasosap akimaw awa pinaskowi-pisim (The migrating moon)

Self-awareness is having a strong understanding of who you are. If we want kids and young adults to effec-tively manage their behaviors, work best with others, and problem-solve through life’s challenges, they need to have an accurate understanding of their own actions first. This is where self-awareness comes in. What is Self-Awareness? Self-awareness is having an accurate understanding of ourselves. That includes knowing our strengths, chal-lenges, values, emotions, and hopes for the future. When kids and teens have stronger self-awareness skills, they’re better equipped for success. These are couple activities you can do at home with your children. Ahkameyimok!

Write in a Journal Journal writing is a simple, fun, and effective way to integrate social emotional skills in general. Try assigning prompts related to self-awareness and give time for kids and teens to write independently. After learners write, it’s helpful to give share-out time. This can be a time for kids to share with a partner, small group, or the entire class. Some examples of self-awareness prompts might include:

• What are your top five positive qualities? • What do you LOVE to do? What activities make you feel the best? • How do you feel today? • What are some hopes you have for the future? • What ways do you feel you learn best? • When was a time you succeeded at something?

Make a Hopes and Dreams List Help kids and teens recognize their goals and aspirations with a hopes and dream list. Add statements for the following questions:

• Where would you like to travel to someday?

• What would you like your future job to be?

• What activities would you like to try in the future?

• What hopes do you have for the world?

Thank you,

Angel Iron—Student Services

LLRC/Cree This month has been very active, now that students are back in class. On October 12th to the 15th, I took eight

students to Sandy Beach just by Beauval. Students participated in a variety of cultural activities ranging from

panting, moose meat cutting, hut building, crafts and trapping competitions. Students really enjoyed their time

there especially when they got a chance to make dry meat, moose sausages and moose hamburger. Meadow

Lake Tribal Council was in charge of organize the whole week.

October 20th was recognized has the day you take your students outside to participate in land-based teaching.

Many schools throughout Canada are part of this organization and so is Canoe Lake. The idea of the program

is to do something with the students outdoors and share your experience with other schools, to give each other

ideas that would benefit students.

I teamed up with Crystal Yew and her grade 6 students to take students outside. The students were following

up on a lesson about local trees and the natural medicine they produce. We took a nature walk caring cameras

to take pictures of local trees. During that time, we identified the name of the trees in English and in Cree.

After words when we got back, we did a follow up lesson to review natural medicines.

I am glad that Crystal asked me to be part of her lesson when it came to using Cree Language. If Cree

language is to improve in our school it has to be used consistently in the school. not only during Cree time but,

throughout the day in every subject.

Just a reminder again that Cree language cannot be isolated to certain time slots. We have the resources to help

teachers and parents with support materials. Don’t be afraid to reach out, anytime.

Thank you,

Calvin Maurice

School Bus Update

We would like to welcome David Iron as our new bus driver.

The bus will start running full time and will be going down Eval’s old bus route

beginning Monday, November 1st, 2021

8:10 am—Elementary Pickup

8:35 am—High School Pickup

The Canoe Lake Miksiw School Staff would like to welcome him to our

Miksiw Family.