On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the City of Saskatoon announced the 2024 Living in Harmony Award recipients. Saskatoon Public Schools is pleased to announce that students in two of our schools received awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to community harmony through the elimination of racial discrimination.
The Classroom Award was given to the Grade 4/5 students at Brownell School for drafting their own personalized land acknowledgements. When writing their land acknowledgments, students were asked by their teacher, Mr. T, to reflect, research, tell the truth, and honour the strength of Indigenous communities and culture.
"I acknowledge that I am on Treaty 6 Territory. I am a female student in Grade 4, and I was born in Saskatoon. I acknowledge the Métis and First Nations people of this land. I am grateful for everything on the land and my ancestors. I recognize that Indigenous land was taken. I give thanks to the Métis and First Nations of this place," wrote one student.
"The land acknowledgements are a way for students to demonstrate and pay homage to Indigenous people from this area. They recognize the strength and wisdom of Treaty 6 Territory and invoke the spirit of this place when students can express their good intentions," said teacher Glenn Thorpe.
The Student Group Award was given to the following Grade 6 students at Buena Vista School: Leia, Olivia, Ghazal and River. The students created a piece of art depicting a multitude of races marching side-by-side along the river. The art was inspired by the students' participation last year in National Indigenous Peoples Day when they walked along the river with their school.
"The students embarked on this project as part of a cross curricular social studies and visual art project," said teacher Daisy Hart. "The girls went above and beyond, finding multiple times away from school to meet and collaborate on their project."
Special thanks to all the students at Brownell and Buena Vista schools for their work to end racism and create a more just society.
"I acknowledge that I am on Treaty 6 Territory. I am a female student in Grade 4, and I was born in Saskatoon. I acknowledge the Métis and First Nations people of this land. I am grateful for everything on the land and my ancestors. I recognize that Indigenous land was taken. I give thanks to the Métis and First Nations of this place," wrote one student.
"The land acknowledgements are a way for students to demonstrate and pay homage to Indigenous people from this area. They recognize the strength and wisdom of Treaty 6 Territory and invoke the spirit of this place when students can express their good intentions," said teacher Glenn Thorpe.
The Student Group Award was given to the following Grade 6 students at Buena Vista School: Leia, Olivia, Ghazal and River. The students created a piece of art depicting a multitude of races marching side-by-side along the river. The art was inspired by the students' participation last year in National Indigenous Peoples Day when they walked along the river with their school.
"The students embarked on this project as part of a cross curricular social studies and visual art project," said teacher Daisy Hart. "The girls went above and beyond, finding multiple times away from school to meet and collaborate on their project."
Special thanks to all the students at Brownell and Buena Vista schools for their work to end racism and create a more just society.
