Prairie River celebrates Aboriginal culture

Denny Bellerose, left, and Laurent Isadore sang and played their hand drums for the round dance for Prairie River Junior High School students. Music could be heard thorughout the schoolyard.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

Two loud cheers and a round dance topped Prairie River Junior High School’s celebration of National Aboriginal Day. Students from High Prairie Elementary, Bishop Routhier School in Peavine and other schools joined their PRJH counterparts at the track behind the school June 19. Jason Big Charles emceed, noting this is the second year for this event. “It’s something to be proud of,” says Big Charles. “This is a time to celebrate.” He highlighted the federal government’s apology for the abuse residential school students suffered, and says this is a special event. Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the official apology in the House of Commons in Ottawa June 11. Following Big Charles’ opening remarks, Denny Bellerose offered a prayer and asked everyone to stand for it. Then Big Charles explained that National Aboriginal Day, which is on June 21 this year, is a celebration of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis. However, there’s also a celebration of all the other cultures that make up this country, he adds. Kim Barker, the High Prairie School Division’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit lead teacher, spoke next. She says people should celebrate their differences, and highlighted June 27 (Multicultural Day) through July 1 (Canada Day) as the time for this. Barker then had the students wave their hands according to their age, and cheer as she announced each ethnic group. For the finale, she had all the students jump and yell, “I’m proud to be Canadian!” Next, Denny Bellerose explained the significance of the round dance, and he got all the students and teachers to go onto the field and join hands in a circle. Then he and Laurent Isadore played their hand drums and sang as the dancers made one full circle of the field. Following the round dance, Big Charles thanked everyone for attending and the students returned to their classes.

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