December 12, 2024
Mi'kmaw Language and Culture
On Saturday, November 23, we hosted a Mi'kmaw Language Educators Networking session. This day was devoted to understanding how to best use the Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey Teachers Learning Guide and Assessment book. Presentations by Jasmine Ma'sl and Kattirin Francis showed the participants how and why the guide was developed and the best ways to use it in the classrooms. Teachers from LSK, Pictou Landing, Paqtnkek, We'koqma'q, Wagmtkuk, Potlotek, Eskasoni, and Membertou enjoyed the day and were excited to go back to their schools to use the guide in their language lessons. The next meeting will be announced in January.
Our Academic Services and Language Department teamed up to offer a Mi'kmaq Immersion parent mentoring program at the ESK school in Eskasoni. The program, which ran for for 6 weeks, had teachers and TAs working alongside MK staff as they helped parents learn new ways to be able to support their children with their work. Candace Bernard, Laura Prosper, Alwyn Jeddore and Beverly Jeddore offered support in teaching parents to use the Smith-Francis orthography to help translate words they were unsure of and also spent time playing games in Mi'kmaw and showing new ways to make homework fun.
Parents had a chance to win some door prizes for taking part and winner of the $500 grocery card was Chandel Paul.
Post Secondary
The Post Secondary team was very busy this month! On December 1st they offered a drum making workshop for guidance councillors from MK schools and communities across the province. They had some excellent teachers and the drums turned out amazing!
Melissa Reid, our Adult Education Consultant, offered a basket making PD for Adult Education community contacts and Adult Educators at the Delta Dartmouth on December 14. The session was facilitated by Stephen Jerome who did an excellent job of guiding the participants in making beautiful baskets.
Melissa also partnered with We'koqma'q and Wagmatcook to host a 3 day driving course through Unamaki driving school. The session was taught by Natashia Sylliboy at the Wagmatcook NSCC. Seventeen students completed the course and will get 10 hrs of driving time over the coming months. Unamaki driving school will pick the students up in their communities to do their driving time and once driving hours are completed they will then be taken for their road test using the drivers-ed car.
Wellness
Wellness Consultant Tammy Bernard did a PD with staff at the Maupeltuewey Kina'matno'kuom in Membertou on December 5, 2024. The teachers and staff painted a teepee and Tammy Bernard spoke about intergenerational trauma and self wellness, and the importance of keeping your inner flame/spirit in balance in a Trauma -informed school environment.
Christmas at MK
The annual AFNTS and MK online Christmas Concert was held on December 10th. We had over 20 entries from schools across the province and they were all so amazing! Our hosts for the day were Beverly Jeddore and Bernie Francis who did a fantastic job of entertaining the audience between songs. We were also honoured to be joined by special guest Morgan Toney, who performed a few songs. The event was broadcasted live on our Youtube channel and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/RFrLDZrahXg
The week leading up to our Christmas Break at our MK office is something everyone looks forward to. To kick off the Christmas season we start with our Theme Week. Each day has a different theme which included Red & Green Day, Mean Green Monday (Grinch wear), Cookie Exchange & craft, Tinsel Tuesday (Sparkle Attire) & scavenger hunt, Holiday Festive wear, munchie potluck & board games and Pajama Day & Christmas Brunch. We also participate in a door decorating contest which brings out the competitive spirit in our staff. The ideas for door decorating get more creative every year! The first place winner this year was Kim MacKinnon!
