First Nations, Metis and Inuit

At St. Francis of Assisi, we infuse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit culture into all aspects of education.  By using the Medicine Wheel to represent different learning styles, we can make more meaningful connections to Indigenous culture for our students and staff. The medicine wheel is a tool that symbolizes balance when all four quadrants are engaged.  For example, the yellow quadrant is in the East and represents birth and growth.  During Science class, we use this quadrant to explain life cycles.  As educators, we look to these quadrants as a tool to bring well-rounded experiences to the students.  This allows them to appreciate the cultures of Canada’s First Peoples.  We invite traditional knowledge keepers from the Lesser Slave Lake area to come into our school and share their teachings and experiences.  First hand, we can learn about the traditions and people who originally settled this area.  Through the teachings of our guests and those teachings represented by each of the quadrants, we bring understanding to our students that we all contribute to better relationships and acts of reconciliation.