My name is Danita Lewis. I am from Cold Lake First Nations. I have lived in the Comox Valley for over 20 years and consider this my home. I am a middle school teacher with my specialty teaching First Nations Studies. This is my passion. Through my teaching I reach a wide range of learners. I have put together a pretty exciting, fun and hands on program that all grade 7 students will take as part of the exploration rotation during the school year. In this program students experience:
Week One: Introduction focuses on the diversity of First Nations.
Week two: First Nations Clothing
Week three: First Nations Education – elder story telling
Week four: First Nations art
Week five: Field trips to the Big House and First Nations Exhibit at the Museum
Week six: First Nations Food and final projects
I have found the majority of students who have experienced this program have huge transfomative shifts in their thinking and the way they look at First Nations people. Students also experience a program called "The Village" that helps students understand the lasting intergenerational effects of residential schools. The majority of students have a new appreciation for First Nations culture and traditions.
