Kootenay River Secondary has been busy for the first half of the year. We have a large population of Indigenous students that have gathered for various educational and cultural activities. Some highlights for the fall were our walk for Truth and Reconciliation, Aboriginal Education Program assembly where Taeley did the Old School Fancy dance, poppy beading with Trina Williams for Indigenous Veterans Day, smudging with Angie Louie, Christmas Party, and teaching traditional dances to classes.

Robin Louie has recently helped teach the school about fish traps; how they are made, what they are made from, and how to use them. We have spent the past 3 weeks weaving and tying them together and in the next few weeks we are hoping to use them in our local rivers to catch bubot.

Some happenings that we are looking forward to in the months ahead are our Winter Feast, regalia and moccasin making, Friday hot breakfasts, and post-secondary visits in Cranbrook, Lethbridge, and Calgary. We are thankful for the support from the community members of Yaqan Nukiy and the student leadership for these events.

Poppy making with Trina.

Taeley dancing

Submitted by Kat Takeda, Lecara Devaidson, Jeff Banman - KRSS Aboriginal Academic Success Teachers