Cultural Leadership Program
2024 Truth and Reconciliation Fund Grant Recipient— $10,000
Tavion, a Grade 8 student, began connecting to our Mother Earth teachings through sweetgrass in Grades 6–7. Recognized by drumkeeper Evan Whitestar for his empathy, Tavion is now training as a drumkeeper, learning from four Elders. Drumkeepers carry the pain of students through ceremony, using tobacco to release it safely. Tavion soaks up the struggles of others, helping them heal while demonstrating perseverance, gentleness, and awareness. His journey shows how cultural leadership and traditional teachings empower youth and foster wellbeing.
The grant deepened our students’ reconnection to land and identity. Land-based lessons are vital to the cultural programming. Goals expanded from 40 to 50 Cree words by Grade 8, supported by a new Cree dictionary (in development). Prayer, talking circles, and smudging are now part of every cultural hour, and teaches students to manage health mentally, physically, and spiritually. Students learn to seek, identify, and braid medicines with Elders, then witness them used in school ceremonies. This full-circle experience excites students, strengthens confidence in who they are before the Creator, and roots them more deeply in culture and healing. This program has helped them find their North Star and identity within this urban context.
The grant deepened our students’ reconnection to land and identity. Land-based lessons are vital to the cultural programming. Goals expanded from 40 to 50 Cree words by Grade 8, supported by a new Cree dictionary (in development). Prayer, talking circles, and smudging are now part of every cultural hour, and teaches students to manage health mentally, physically, and spiritually. Students learn to seek, identify, and braid medicines with Elders, then witness them used in school ceremonies. This full-circle experience excites students, strengthens confidence in who they are before the Creator, and roots them more deeply in culture and healing. This program has helped them find their North Star and identity within this urban context.
When introducing the Buffalo Boys Drum Group and Dancers to the Peepeekisis Powwow, Howie Thompson said of our program, “Mother Teresa Middle School is staple for Cultural teachings and and vital reconnection in Saskatchewan. They are known for their cultural outreach.”
You create really strong bonds and connections with people through doing these kinds of things and it’s beautiful that I get to have this,
I have been drumming with these boys and girls for a very long time. We all watched each other grow up. The main thing that keeps me coming back is the support system,
C started at Ignite in January 2024. She came to us recently sober, homeless, and was staying at the local YWCA. She was determined to continue her journey of sobriety and learned about Ignite because her son had graduated from the program not too long before her start date. C had a quiet reserve about her in the beginning but soon showed her tenacity and became a leader in class. She supported other students, encouraging them to keep going when they were struggling emotionally, academically and mentally. Academically, C was a standout student and will be continuing her education in university with as se pursues a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work.
When introducing the Buffalo Boys Drum Group and Dancers to the Peepeekisis Powwow, Howie Thompson said of our program, “Mother Teresa Middle School is staple for Cultural teachings and and vital reconnection in Saskatchewan. They are known for their cultural outreach.”
You create really strong bonds and connections with people through doing these kinds of things and it’s beautiful that I get to have this,
I have been drumming with these boys and girls for a very long time. We all watched each other grow up. The main thing that keeps me coming back is the support system,