Staff and students in Rainbow Schools are invited to kick off the new year with a green gathering - a shared meal where there is just enough food for everyone with no waste and minimal garbage.
This challenge is part of the Rainbow District School Board Environmental Committee's ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable practices in schools and communities.
"Making connections between environmental choices and their impact on the planet remains a priority," says Director of Education Bruce Bourget. "This challenge presents another opportunity to highlight the various ways we can reduce our carbon footprint."
For eco-friendly gatherings, schools might include sustainable food options, increase waste reduction and sorting, conserve energy and resources, and promote active and low-carbon transportation to and from events.
To prepare for a green gathering, organizers could stock up on reusable items through donations or by purchasing from local thrift shops or garage sales, create a plan to properly clean and store reusable materials, purchase food grown within Canada, reduce waste with bulk foods, and consider digital agendas or printing on GOOS (Good On One Side) paper.
From an Indigenous perspective, gatherings maawnjidwing are a time to visit and share stories - an important part of the Indigenous Anishinaabe way of life.
Indigenous gatherings typically involve a ceremony in celebration and/or recognition of special events such as naming ceremonies, harvest celebrations, and the change of seasons.
Gatherings and feasts give Indigenous Anishinaabe people the opportunity to acknowledge their relationship with the spirit world and honour loved ones that have passed - family members, relatives, friends, ancestors - and to feast with their loving spirit to show respect and appreciation for those who have passed on.
Feasts and giveaways are also a traditional practice for the Anishinaabe. It is customary to bring what is no longer needed from the home to share with others. At times, purchased gifts will replace traditional giveaways in a demonstration of appreciation for the participation and sharing of knowledge.
Keeping tobacco semaa and a feast bundle, a bag of personal utensils, comes in handy for invitations to gatherings where a feast will take place.
Last year, Rainbow Schools achieved 100 per cent certification in EcoSchools Canada.
