WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
St. Mark Welcomes WCDSB's Indigenous Week of Learning

St. Mark Catholic Elementary School welcomed a week of meaningful learning as part of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board's Indigenous Week of Learning. The experience offered students an opportunity to connect with Indigenous culture, history, and traditions in a hands-on, heartfelt way.

This special initiative was created through the leadership and vision of Superintendent Jenny Ritsma, who oversees the Indigenous Education portfolio, and Jen Staats, Indigenous Consultant K-12. Together, they imagined a week that would bring Indigenous learning to life in every elementary school moving beyond textbooks and into classrooms, conversations, and community. Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the goal is to help students learn from, with, and about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

Thanks to a team of dedicated Indigenous educators and Knowledge Keepers, that vision came to life at St. Mark. Classrooms and shared spaces were transformed. The library became an Indigenous Museum, filled with traditional clothing, instruments, furs, and sacred medicines offering students a chance to see, touch, and learn. Outside, students picked up lacrosse sticks to play Canada's national sport, first created by Indigenous Peoples.

Each grade experienced something unique.

Katie Croft, Indigenous Special Assignment Teacher, worked with students, guiding them through the Indigenous Peoples Map of Canada and teaching about how Indigenous communities lived off the land, the formation of Canada, and the diverse names and locations of First Nation communities. Additionally, her in class lessons for grade 4-8 students were closely tied to the Social Studies and History curriculum.

Darlene Schaffer, an Inuk Knowledge Keeper, spent time with Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, sharing stories, traditions, and lived experiences from Nunavut. Her additional Inuit presentation for the whole school really brought the Inuit culture to life for students.

Teresa Pitt, a Métis Knowledge Keeper, visited Grade 1 and 2 classrooms with stories and teachings that celebrates Métis identity, language, the arts and community.

Jen Staats offered a canoe presentation, highlighting its cultural and historical importance in Indigenous life connecting students to traditions of travel, trade, and connection that continue today.

Creating space for Indigenous teachings helps students grow in knowledge and respect and reminds us that reconciliation begins with listening and learning together.