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Marvel Comics Universe heads to the Canadian North, coming in June 2019!
Amka Aliyak - aka Snowguard - is an Inuit teenager from Pangnirtung, Nunavit, described as "independent, courageous, and headstrong". (CBC link, in button below). Marvel Comics has included Amka in the Champions, a diverse group of superheroes that includes teen versions of some already-famous comic headliners like Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and the Hulk. The company wisely chose to collaborate early on in the project with Nyla Innuksuk - founder of a Toronto-based VR production company (Mixtape VR), who is herself Inuit and grew up in Igloolik and Iqaluit. Innuksuk provided info on "traditional Inuit tattoos...dress...houses and communities" and "daily life in the Arctic" to help "provide an authenticity". The setting of the story - Pangnirtung - or "Pang" - is where Innuksuk's young nephews live. Snowguard will make her first appearance in Champions #21, in late-June. To read more about what Marvel may have actually done right - or at least better - in creating a new, diverse, female superhero, click on the 3rd button, below - an article from The Walrus Literary Magazine. LISTEN to a CBC Unreserved Podcast interview with Nyla Innuksuk - linked below (8:55min) Protests continue across B.C. - and Canada! - in support of Indigenous Land Rights in Northern B.C. This morning (Friday, January 11, 2019), convoys of vehicles took to the 401 - Ontario's busiest highway - in BOTH directions, slowing traffic significantly, to bring awareness to pipelines, Indigenous land rights, the RCMP presence (and arrests) at recent protests in Northern BC, and the right of Indigenous peoples to be consulted:
"In Canada, the duty to consult and accommodate with Aboriginal peoples arises when the Crown contemplates actions or decisions that may affect an Aboriginal person's Aboriginal or Treaty rights. This duty arises most often in the context of natural resource extraction such as mining, forestry, oil, and gas." (wikipedia) This peaceful protest "solidarity slowdown" consisted of groups of vehicles driving slowly (about half-speed) down Highway 401, to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, following arrests of protesters by the RCMP earlier this week. Check out the button to link to video footage and story: Time to put the paddles away…
December 3, 2018 December 3, 2018 by lssmith “Time to put the paddles away” At the end of the autumn season, Tsawwassen families would return to their winter villages, bless and thank the canoes, put their paddles away, and begin their winter ceremonies. “Short days, Time of the moon child” Traditionally, winter was the peak ceremonial season for Tsawwassen First Nation. Much preparation was needed for the many community gatherings in the longhouse. Ceremonies strengthened family bonds, brought prestige to the sponsoring head of the family and provided an opportunity for sharing rites and rituals. Spirit dancing and oral storytelling were main features of the celebrating and feasting. How will you celebrate this winter season? Perhaps you could nestle up with one of the suggested winter theme stories with authentic Indigenous text and artwork: When the Trees Crackle with Cold: A Cree Calendar - Pisimwasinahikan written by Bernice Johnson-Laxdal and illustrated by Miriam Körner Taan’s Moons: A Haida Moon Story written by Adrian Gear and illustrated by Kiki van Der Heiden with the Children of Haida Gwaii Mouse Celebrates the Winter Solstice written by Terri Mack and illustrated by Bill Helin Tlingit Storytellers written and illustrated by Bill Helin Wintertime written by Terri Mack From the Mountains to the Sea: We Share the Seasons written by Brenda Boreham and Terri Mack and illustrated by Bill Helin How do our stories give us a sense of identity and belonging? Students could delve into their own stories of their family traditions and winter celebrations. Happy Winter Everybody! Please contact Lyndsay Smith, Teacher Mentor with an Indigenous Focus if you would like to borrow any of the suggested winter theme books or visit www.strongnations.com . **Edited to include book titles/author/illustrators (vs having to click link), italics added in body of main paragraph. KH, 2019 |
New Position:This is a new position to SDSS and most other secondary schools in our district. As such, it's going to be a work in progress, and there will be a lot of learning for me, too! Archives
January 2020
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