John Wilson School deepens understanding and respect through week long Indigenous cultural residency

taff and students at John Wilson Elementary School (JWES) in Innisfail enjoyed participating in a Indigenous cultural residency from May 5 to 9. Because it was a week long, students were able to enjoy a wide range of learning experiences. The residency is one of five residencies supported by Chinook’s Edge in the 2024-25 school year. 

“We designed the week to provide students and staff an opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture, language and ways of knowing. It provided powerful lessons in cultural respect and diversity,” says Angela Warke, Principal of JWES. “Students were eager to come to school each day, excited to take part in the day’s featured activities.”

Activities included: 

• Indigenous games
• Medicine walks
• Tipi teachings
• Indigenous storytelling 
• Traditional Indigenous dance instruction and powwow dance exhibition 

The school worked with Indigenous knowledge keepers Clare Butterfly and Dakota Bauder to design and run activities throughout the week.

Butterfly says, “I really appreciated the openness of staff at John Wilson, which allowed me to tailor a wide range of learning experiences for the students. We were able to provide a broad array of Indigenous teachings, not narrowing our scope to one area of traditional indigenous life.”

Butterfly says, “The students at the school were so eager to learn, and asked so many questions. It is very heartwarming to see young people so willing to learn about, and participate in, Indigenous culture. That is true reconciliACTION. 

Theo, a Grade 1 student, enjoyed the Indigenous games. “You have to scream as loud as you can but not yell,” he says, explaining his favorite game. “You have to scream and run as far as you can before you stop.”

The medicine walk was a highlight for Victoria, a Grade 3 student. She says, “We talked about how the Indigenous lived and how they ate and the stuff they would cure themselves with if they cut their hand. If you break a tree and you didn’t want it broken, there’s this plant that’s really stretchy to tie it so the tree can connect.”

Warke says, “Learning through the land helped students connect with the places where we live, work, learn and play while also fostering a deeper relationship with the natural world.”  

Warke says the week has left students and staff with an enhanced cultural awareness. 

Specifically with staff, “it has provided increased confidence, tools, and strategies for incorporating Indigenous content, as well as opportunities for collaborative learning and shared growth.” 

“We appreciate the support of Chinook’s Edge School Division,” says Warke. “Having the opportunity to learn from Clare Butterfly through our Indigenous cultural residency enriches our ongoing journey of learning, truth and reconciliation.”