Cross cultural experience

Ken Johnston

It was probably the most unique Native Awareness Day Rainy River High School students ever had.
On Thursday a bus load of RRHS students travelled to Pegamigaabo Elementary School at Big Grassy First Nation. In the past elders and other members of the area First Nations came to RRHS to teach the students about Native culture.
Students signed up for sessions on things such as Ojibwa language, hand-drumming, filleting fish, hoop dancing, aboriginal games and visited a real sweat lodge and a round house.
At lunch all the fish that were filleted in the sessions were cooked up and served to the guests from RRHS and the community.
After lunch the sessions resumed all with a hands on approach.
Long time hoop dancer Garnet Comegan not only spoke about his experience dancing but invited some of the students up to learn a few moves with the hoops. He noted that hoop dancing is like facing the challenges of life. “Each hoop represents another challenge.” He noted that the kids’ parents often present them with challenges and that they should always try their best and never give up.
While the students learning some dance moves thought it impossible to do them when they first started, Comegan had them “diving” through hoops in no time, showing them that no matter how big a challenge they can prevail with determination.
He noted how hoop dancing has given him so many opportunities. “I have travelled all over the world dancing.” He told the students to finish school as it, like his dancing, will open so many doors for them.
At the end of the day everyone gathered to listen to Grand Chief Gardiner speak about the history of Treaty Three.
Several students the Record spoke to said the day was very rewarding and that they learned a great deal.
Teacher Laura Armistead thought the day was very rewarding and hopes that more of the student body will participate next year once they hear how fun it was.