Many G.C. Huston students came to a November 4 assembly dressed in their Bimaadzwin t-shirts, the backs of which list the seven Grandfather Teachings, in both Ojibway as well as English.

Hub Staff

G.C. Huston Public School Principal Dan Russell wanted to expand his students’ learning and to find a central focus. “Our goal was to continue to go deeper... to try to get to a whole new level of relevance for our children and to make the learning meaningful for them instead of just touching the surface,” said Russell in a November 9 interview.

This school year, the learning has been centered around Bimaadzwin, the Ojibway word for the Good Path. Bimaadzwin is based on the seven Grandfather Teachings of Minaadendmowin - Respect, Nbwaakaawin - Wisdom, Naagidwin - Love, Aakdehewin - Bravery, Gwekwadiziwin - Honesty, Dbaadendizwin - Humility, and finally Debwewin - Truth; and each month, students at G.C. Huston focus on one of the seven Grandfather Teachings.

“You can see we’ve tried to separate each of the Grandfather Teachings and create a monthly focus and so it’s promoted on Hawk Radio with the announcements, but then on top of that, the classroom teachers are trying to find ways in the classroom to connect it to the different curriculum,” said Russell.

He gave the example of a Grade 5/6 Literacy class in which students were creating a children’s book based on a Grandfather Teaching of their choice. “Something that is age appropriate for Kindergarten, Grade 1, something that is interesting, something that has a great message to it but the focus needs to be one of the Grandfather Teachings,” said Russell. “So again, trying to integrate the Grandfather Teachings into all areas of learning.”

Russell said that almost half of the students at G.C. Huston come from Saugeen First Nation. “They must see themselves in their learning,” he said.

Then an opportunity to take the same principles to a new level came to light through a conversation with members of the Southampton Residents’ Association (SRA). “They really wanted to reach out and find ways to bring the two communities [Southampton and Saugeen First Nation] together,” said Russell, “something unifying.”

Following discussions with the SRA as well as Ray Auger, First Nation, Métis and Inuit Advisor, Bluewater District School Board, it was decided that G.C. Huston students, represented by student council, would start taking the necessary steps to name the bridge that links the town of Southampton with Saugeen First Nation the Bimaadzwin Bridge.

Russell said that student council met with Saugeen First Nation Chief and Council in October and they were in support of the idea.

Russell talked about the significance of the project and what it means for the two communities. “The river being the divide between two communities and the idea that a bridge brings communities together continues the path, in this case the Good Path,” said Russell.

“We talk about G.C. Huston being a family and within a family there are differences but at the end of the day we are one family,” said Russell. “That’s truth and reconciliation every day in this building and so our goal is to spread truth and reconciliation from the school, from the youth, to the community.”

Russell said that the next steps will be for student council to go to Saugeen Shores Council to gain their support, and from there to the province. But, Russell discovered, there is a barrier to do with provincial regulation. “Up until this point, bridges can only be named after fallen police officers,” said Russell.

However, Russell believes that due to the significance of the project, there is a strong argument to gain provincial support in making an exception in this case.

“This is a great thing for our students,” said Russell, calling it “a great, teachable moment”.

“One of the things that we’ve promoted over the years is grit and perseverance so this is a perfect opportunity,” said Russell. “To see children involved in things like leadership and public speaking and being able to articulate an argument and continue the argument even when they come up against some pretty big road blocks, like the province, a provincial regulation is a pretty big road block, but again, we see that as a great challenge for our children.”

Russell added that nothing gets Intermediate students motivated like “a cause that’s bigger than themselves.”

He also sees this project as something that will become bigger than the students and the school. “Coming together as a community or as a province or as a country, we see the youth as playing a big part in that, as changing mind sets, changing stereotypes and biases, and if our young people can portray a family and complete togetherness it should be able to move to the community beyond the school.”

For the month of October, G.C. students focussed on the Grandfather Teaching of Minaadendmowin - Respect, and during a November 4 assembly in the gymnasium, Russell talked about Bimaadzwin with his students and announced that each of the home room doors will be painted to represent one of the seven Grandfather Teachings, with October’s door, Minaadendmowin, being unveiled. He also made mention of a larger project depicting Bimaadzwin.

“When you walk into G.C. Huston, the first thing you’ll see is a graphic depiction by our Bimaadzwin artists of the Good Path or Bimaadzwin. As you walk through our halls, you will see the different Grandfather Teachings, when you enter your classroom, you’ll be reminded of how to stay on the Good Path. Not only is it beautiful, friends, but it’s there for a very important purpose, to remind us every day of following the Grandfather Teachings. Why do we do that? Because it makes us better people and makes us closer together as a community and as a family.”

Russell then reminded students of the importance of understanding that the land on which the school rests is traditional land. “The group of people that were on this land before us... have been here for time immemorial,” said Russell, adding that a special recognition statement had been added to the Hawk Radio announcements “that reminds us that this land is very special and that we’re very fortunate to be able to live here, to have our school here.”

G.C. Huston Public School student Sonny Pilon read the statement:

“Aanni Boozhoo. We acknowledge that G.C. Huston Public School stands on the traditional territories of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation which is today represented by Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The Saugeen People have resided on this land since time immemorial and our school stands on this land today. We thank them. Chi Migwetch.”

The Bimaadzwin artists following the unveiling of the home room door depicting the Grandfather Teaching of Minaadendmowin - Respect. Back row, left to right, Madison David, Mya Falsey, Amelia Solomon, Summer Thompson, Harmony Ransome, Serena Trelford-Ladd. Front row, left to right, Aiden Sky, Emma Roote, Dante Wrightson. Missing from the photo are Meagan Jeffries and Olivia Hall. 

G.C. Huston student Sonny Pilon reading the special recognition statement that acknowledges traditional territories. The statement has been added to the Hawk Radio announcements.

The bridge that links Southampton and Saugeen First Nation, the bridge that G.C. Huston students and Principal Dan Russell want to name the Bimaadzwin Bridge. Bimaadzwin is the Ojibway word for the Good Path.