Six Nations Education Language and Culture updates

On June 21, 2012, the first annual Six Nations Education District Aboriginal Solidarity day social, was held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.  This was the first time that all five schools at Sx Nations came together under one roof, to recognize and celebrate our Ǫgwehǫ́:weh culture and heritage.  The morning began with students doing the Thanksgiving Address in the Cayuga language, and continued with introductory remarks and welcoming words from Kris Hill and James Cutfeet who manage the education system.  Each principal introduced their school, and told a little bit about the things they do to  incorporate language and culture into the curriculum.  Each school then gave an awesome school cheer.  There were presentations by Tesha Emarthle who gave a smoke dance demonstration, then invited the teachers and students to a smoke dance challenge on the arena floor.  There was great participation as many took up the challenge, and stretched their legs in a few rounds of smoke dance.  There was also a Trick sticks demonstration by well known lacrosse players Cody Jamieson and Jeremy Thompson.  In addition, a motivational presentation was given by another well known young lacrosse star, Johnny Powless.  Johnny urged the students to work hard and maintain their education, in order to help them reach all their goals.
During the lunch break staff and student were invited to view cultural and language projects that the students made.  The projects were awesome, and covered a wide range of cultural, historical, native language and craft displays.   Also during the lunch break, Mr. Gibson and Mrs. Miller from I.L. Thomas School, hosted a ding-ball game that had many kids enjoying themselves trying to throw and catch the double-ball.  After lunch the social began, and was run entirely by the students.  They did all of the announcing of the songs and dances in the Cayuga and Mohawk languages, as well, they also did all of the singing and leading of the dances.  All in all it was an excellent day of celebrating our cultural heritage as Six Nations Haudenosaunee.  Pictures of the event will be posted as they become available.