Sample of aboriginal activities within School District #91 Nechako Lakes.

1. The First People Of Northern British Columbia Our Rich AboriginalCulture www.sd91.bc.ca Calvin Desmarais – Principal of Aboriginal Education

2. Number of district aboriginal students approx. 1500 Total number of school district students 5678 Approximate percent of aboriginal students 26% Number of First Nations within school district 13 Regional Aboriginal Facts

3. Lake Babine NationWet’suwet’en First Nation*Cheslatta BandBurns Lake Band* Nee TahiBuhn BandSaik’uz First Nation *Tl’azt’en Nation Band*Nak’azdli Band*NadlehWhut’en Band*Stellat’en First Nation*Takla Band First Nation*Yekooche First Nation BandSkin TyeeBand First Nations Within SD 91 *Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Member

4. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture Local drum maker teaches elementary students the story of the drum and how to make ne using traditional materials.

5. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture The Potlatch is a traditional event where clans gather and celebrate major events in the community such as naming ceremonies as well as deaths. While any particular Potlatch is hosted by one clan, all clans and all ages participate in the dancing, feasting and sharing of gifts. The whole community participates.

6. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture The Potlach

7. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture

8. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture Drumming is an important part of the traditional life of First Nations people. The drum is used at Potlatches as well as other formal and informal occasions. Drummers and singers are the traditional holders of the songs and the younger drummers and singers learn from the older.

9. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture There are certain protocols and traditions that go with the making, handling and use of drums and songs. Many songs are considered sacred and are handed down from clan to clan to clan.

10. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture As First Nation communities and schools work together to promote and increase Aboriginal awareness there is also a need for students to learn new things.

11. Our Rich Aboriginal Culture The district has been involved in a program with IBM where Aboriginal students were brought together to learn about technology and science. They were able take apart and reconstruct computers to see how they worked. They also did some basic robotic programming.

12. The First People Of Northern British Columbia Our Rich AboriginalCulture www.sd91.bc.ca Calvin Desmarais – Principal of Aboriginal Education