Wenjack & Downie Families Celebrate Opening Of Chanie Wenjack School At Trent

The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University honours the life and history of Chanie Wenjack, a young Anishinaabe boy who died in his attempt to escape residential school in 1966.

The families of Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie were at Trent University on Friday (March 2nd) to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School—a milestone development in the University’s longstanding leadership in Indigenous education and reconciliation.

Wenjack and Downie families join celebration to launch Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies (Picture via Trent University)

“The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies works to create an environment of dignity, respect, understanding and a home for all students," says Professor David Newhouse, director of the School.

"It also provides a space for Indigenous students to understand their own culture and heritage better, while also cultivating greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous students."

The families of #ChanieWenjack and #GordDownie are coming together to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies here at @TrentUniversity #ptbonews pic.twitter.com/dQmSyCbsxC

— Harrison Perkins (@HaPerkins) March 2, 2018

Speaking on behalf of the Wenjack family, Pearl Achneepineskum, Chanie’s sister, had this to say:

“The people in Peterborough and at Trent have always had a spot in my heart. I would like to thank Trent for continuing to honour Chanie, and for their leadership in Indigenous education.”

Photo via Trent University

“I am so proud to attend the opening of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies with Chanie’s sisters, Pearl, Daisy and Evelyn,” adds Mike Downie, co-founder of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, who also attended the launch event.

“Trent University has been, and continues to be, a leader in Indigenous education to break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians through their programming, resources, and initiatives.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Families of Chanie Wenjack & Gord Downie To Join Celebration Of Chanie Wenjack School For Indigenous Studies

The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University honours the life and history of Chanie Wenjack, a young Anishinaabe boy who died in his attempt to escape residential school in 1966.

Many high profile and distinguished guests—including the families of Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie—will be at Trent University on Friday, March 2nd to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School.

The special event will include remarks from Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University; Professor David Newhouse, director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies; Pearl Achneepineskum, Chanie Wenjack’s sister; and more.
 
The launch event will be followed by a panel discussion on Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action.

Chanie Wenjack Theatre

Special guests include: Gord Downie’s brothers Mike and Patrick Downie; Chanie Wenjack’s sisters Pearl Achneepineskum, Daisy Munroe and Evelyn Baxter; Curve Lake First Nation Chief Phyllis Williams, and other local dignitaries.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Sneak Peek: Inside New Lakefield District Public School

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has put together a great teaser video taking people inside the new Lakefield District Public School.

The video shows the hard work taking place in preparation for the school opening on January 8th.

Watch it below...

This short video provides a sneak peek preview of the new Lakefield District Public School and shows some of the hard work taking place in preparation for the school opening.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Trent University Now Ranked Among The World’s Top Green Universities

Trent University is one of the world’s top green universities, securing a place among the Top 100 environmental university campuses worldwide—and the Top 10 in Canada—according to the recently released UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2017.

“This international ranking confirms Trent’s continued commitment to the environment, and our position as a leading institution in environmental issues,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

Trent's Symons Campus on the Otonabee River

Ranked as the 73rd greenest campus in the world, and No. 7 in Canada, Trent was recognized for leadership in six categories:

-> setting and infrastructure
-> energy and climate change
-> waste
-> water
-> transportation
-> education

Trent's Symons Campus along the banks of Otonabee River

Trent ranked No. 30 in the waste management section and No. 22 in the Education section of the rankings.

The GreenMetric rankings, which ranked 619 universities in 76 countries worldwide, is the first and only university rankings in the world that measure each participating university’s commitment in developing an "environmentally friendly" infrastructure.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Government Of Canada Funds School Feasibility Study At Curve Lake First Nation

On Friday (July 28th), the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, was in Curve Lake Nation near Peterborough to announce $142,000 for a school feasibility study for the Curve Lake First Nation.

Curve Lake First Nation awarded the contract to conduct the school feasibility study to First Nations Engineering Services Ltd., and the study is anticipated to be completed by July 2018.

Minister Carolyn Bennett with the youngest member of the CLFN youth council :) Winter Maddison Rose-Jacobs & her mom Nathalie Jacobs

This study will identify the best approach to support the highest quality learning environment for the community’s youth.

Government representatives meeting with Curve Lake staff and members of youth council

The Government of Canada is investing $969.4 million over five years in First Nation education infrastructure, for the construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations school facilities, like those in Curve Lake First Nation.

Local CLFN participants in the recent North American Indigenous Games

"We are pleased with the support from the Government of Canada, which will allow us to continue to deliver high quality education for our children," says Curve Lake First Nation Chief Phyllis Williams. "This support will advance our obligation to provide programming that is culturally viable and vital for the success of our youth, our future."

Left to right: Chief Phyllis Williams, Minister Carolyn Bennett, MP Maryam Monsef, and Members of Curve Lake Council and staff.

“I heard directly from Chief and Council of Curve Lake First Nation about the need for a local school, which would let young people from this community stay closer to home while they pursue their education," says MP Maryam Monsef. "I’m pleased that the community will be able to move forward with this important feasibility study and determine the best way we can support the youth here at Curve Lake."

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

St. Paul School In Norwood Is Sending 160 Dresses To Girls In Impoverished Countries Around World

There are 120 dresses hanging in the main hall of St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood and pretty soon there will be 160—one for every girl in the school.

They used to be plain cotton T-shirts and fabric. Now they are vibrant and colourful. They have pockets and lace, polka dots and stripes, flowers and plaid.

Lined up together, hanging on a clothesline, the dresses make a powerful statement. They were sewn by the Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students, many of whom had never used a sewing machine before. The material for the dresses was fundraised for and donated by the school community.

The dresses will soon be shipped across the world and given to girls in impoverished countries where not owning a dress can mean not going to school.

Michele Keating is the Special Education Resource Teacher at St. Paul Norwood and an avid seamstress who runs the school’s knitting and sewing clubs.

Supporting the charity Dress a Girl Around the World, Keating had planned to make a handful of T-shirt dresses with a handful of interested students. Interest spread, and soon enough, every Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 student wanted to take part.

The school held a fundraiser to purchase supplies. The community responded, dropping off material and volunteering to sew. Keating set the goal to make 160 dresses to represent the school’s 160 girls.

“The response from the students has been amazing," Keating says. "Every student who has made a dress has been so proud of themselves. The teachers are happy with it too, not only because it’s a great social justice cause, but we cover a lot of math curriculum, a lot of formulas for figuring out area and a lot of real-life application of measurement."

“It has really brought our whole school community together," she adds. "There was no way on earth we could have done this if I didn’t have volunteers from our community and people dropping off material. There was a whole box of lace that was randomly dropped off in my room one day. It started out being some small thing and it spread through our school and through our community.”

School principal Rob Citro takes some sewing instruction from Michele Keating.

Today, Keating has some special helpers to contribute in the homestretch of the project. Director of education Michael Nasello, school superintendent Timothy Moloney and school principal Rob Citro are making their own dresses under the supervision of experienced Grade 8s.

“I learned that you don’t have to do much to make a big difference in someone else’s life,” says Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan, who was helping Moloney navigate the sewing machine. “You’re making something and it’s such a little thing for you, but it’s going to be something so big for the girl who gets this dress. It’s really inspiring.”

Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan

“I think it will make us feel really good seeing all the dresses lined up in the hall because you’re doing something for other people, not ourselves, people who are less fortunate,” says Grade 8 student John Hughes, who co-created a dress with Nasello.

Director of education Michael Nasello shakes hands with sewing partner Grade 8 John Hughes

While working with the students, Nasello said one word came to mind: dignity.

“There is something really special about clothing," he says. "Clothing is not only providing a necessity of life, but it gives a person dignity. To reach out and support young people the same age or younger and to bestow some sense of dignity and support in their lives, I think is the most important type of outreach. I’m so amazed that there is an initiative like this and that it’s really involving students and adults working together to do something good for young people around the world.”

—guest post by Galen Eagle

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

PVNCCDSB Embarks On Ambitious Strategic Plan Review, Will Hold Town Hall Meetings

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) Director of Education Michael Nasello has embarked on an ambitious outreach campaign to hear as many voices in the school board as possible.

As part of a review of the Board’s Strategic Plan, Nasello will lead more than 60 focus groups, including meetings with students and staff in each of the Board’s 36 schools. He will also conduct a public Town Hall Meeting in each of the Board’s four jurisdictions—City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Peterborough, and Clarington—between February and May.

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board Director of Education Michael Nasello leads a focus group at St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017.

DETERMINING WHETHER TO STAY THE COURSE OR GO IN NEW DIRECTION

“Our current Strategic Priorities have been serving us well, but after three years we’re at a crossroads, and we want to hear from our students, staff, parents and communities to help us determine whether we should maintain the current path or head in a new direction,” Nasello says.

Throughout the next four months, Nasello will also hear from the Board’s clergy partners, examine issues from a First Nation Métis and Inuit perspective, and receive input on topics such as special education and welcoming newcomers from Syria and elsewhere.

“We’re committed to transparency and accountability and that means we want to hear from as many voices in our system as possible,” Nasello says.

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board Director of Education Michael Nasello

WHEN THE TOWN HALLS TAKE PLACE

PVNCCDSB welcomes the public and those invested in Catholic Education in their communities to have their voices heard in this review process and attend one of four public Town Hall meetings (all meetings take place 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)...

Thursday, February 23rd, 2017
Lindsay, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School (260 Angeline St. N)

Wednesday, March 29th, 2017
Cobourg, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (1050 Birchwood Trail)

Thursday, March 30th, 2017
Peterborough, St. Peter Catholic Secondary School (730 Medical Dr.)

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017
Courtice, Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School (2260 Courtice Rd.)

Please spread the word on your social media channels about these important town halls.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

PTBO Game Jam 02 At Fleming College Was Huge Success

UPDATED (February 23rd) with more pictures below....

---------------

More than 150 participants took place in PTBO Game Jam 02, held February 17th to 19th at Fleming College’s state of the art Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre. More than half of those in attendance were game developers, resulting in an impressive 33 games being created.

Watching hockey while making games Saturday night

This semi-annual, not-for-profit showcase of all things game development saw programmers, designers, artists and others involved in game-development disciplines gather to plan, design and create games in a specified time frame.

PTBO Game Jam 02 also presented an event-opening Educational Block that featured Robert French, who led a seminar on the steps and processes involved in the creation of PAC-MAN.

“Watching the organic growth of this event has been astonishing,” says principal event organizer Matthew Davey of Peterborough game development studio dotBunny.

“Hearing the stories of individuals and their journeys to get here made all the work organizing it well worth it. I can't wait to see what we can do for PTBO Game Jam 03 as we are now starting to catch the eye of much larger markets.”

--------

UPDATE: Here are more pictures from PTBO Game Jam 02...

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.