Stonybrook arts classes forge cultural connections

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/01/2018 (2280 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local middle school is offering students the opportunity to create colourful arts and crafts, while also getting a chance to learn about Aboriginal history, culture and traditions.

Since the start of the school year, grade eight students at Stonybrook Middle School have been taking an Aboriginal art class, in which they meet regularly to create a number of traditional arts and crafts.

Stonybrook Middle School principal Rita Rebizant said when she realized the school was going to be able to offer an additional section of art, she decided it was time to add an Aboriginal art class.

“Offering Aboriginal art was something that I had been hoping to do for some time, and this year offered a perfect opportunity,” she said.

The new Aboriginal art offering gives students the chance to create arts and crafts such as traditional dream catchers, small traditional headdresses, beaded bracelets and other Aboriginal arts and crafts.

Rebizant said as Canada works towards truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people, she believes the class is an opportunity to connect both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and community members, and give students at the school a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and history.

“It’s another opportunity for reconciliation and an opportunity to provide Indigenous perspectives in our school,” she said.

“With 10 percent of our population identifying as First Nations and Metis, we need to provide our kids with something that they can identify with.”

The classes have also been an opportunity to bring in Roanne Plett, a local woman with Indigenous roots who was once a student at the school, and now comes during the art classes to talk to kids about Indigenous culture.

“It’s an opportunity to connect the students with an adult of a First Nations background who is able to come and provide some of that cultural awareness,” Rebizant said.

Plett said teaching youth about Indigenous culture and traditions is something she has wanted to do for a very long time.

“I feel like I’m living a dream, it really is a dream come true especially with me being a former student,” Plett said.

“When I went to this school I was a very visible minority at the time, but now with Indigenous culture being taught and brought up more, I’m really happy and proud to be a part of this.”

Plett said during one of the classes she even brought in her mother who was part of Canada’s Sixties Scoop, to share stories about her experiences growing up as an Indigenous child in Canada during the residential school era.

Rebizant said she also wants Aboriginal art classes to be something offered beyond the walls of the school, so Stonybrook Middle School has now partnered with the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) to offer Aboriginal arts and craft lessons that will take at the arts council in Steinbach.

Rebizant hopes the programs now being offered with SAC will allow families a chance to spend time together working on arts and crafts, while also giving youth a chance to take part in a free extracurricular activity outside of school hours.

Anyone interested in getting dates for upcoming Aboriginal arts classes at SAC can call 204-346-1077.