Greater St. Albert Catholic holds Tea and Bannock Open House

by Lucie Roy

The Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools held a Tea & Bannock Open House Drop-In on Wednesday night in the spirit of reconciliation.

Held at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy, the event provided an opportunity to connect over tea and bannock, with a choice of baked or fried to taste with jam.

The Open House included many displays, information and an opportunity to speak with Billie-Jo Grant, GSACRD Indigenous Education Consultant and St Kateri Principal Lisa Giacobbo.

One area provided participants with colour-coded stickers to rank their knowledge and level of understanding in relation to Metis Week, the Sixties Scoop, Indian Act, Metis Script and Land Claims and more.

Participants also could indicate if they would be interested in attending a school blanket exercise, if they would be interested in being part of a Morinville Indigenous School/Parent Council, and if community events like this one are important and contribute to education.

A selection of 24 cards that transform into a poster, each with teaching statements on Washing away Identity, Education versus Schooling, Assimilation and more.

There are more events scheduled in the schools, said Grant, and one is to teach them Indigenous games. One game at the event was Antler.

The event was well attended with people in and out during the evening.

Lisa Giacobbo, Principal St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy

Billie-Jo Grant GSACRD Indigenous Education Consultant