My OperaI Made It
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 4:56:06 AM
Well that’s it I have completed my first year of teaching! Looking back over the year, it seems amazing that it is finished. The last few weeks were tough, it was hard to see so many students dropping out and the ones that stuck it out did very poorly for the most part. But it is important to recognize that there were some major improvements over the year. I will be back to work in Sandy Bay starting August 28th again teaching high school math as well as biology…
This is my final SB post for now but I will try to post regarding my summer adventures…
Culture Week/Treaty Day
Culture week was an interesting event, capped off by treaty day. During culture week students were exposed to native culture through displays of native art, workshops on traditional arts such as hide stretching, drum making, birch bark baskets, trap setting and other things. It was pretty cool and I made a birch bark basket with the assistance of one of the elders.
Treaty day was on the Wednesday of culture week and it was quite the event. The status Indians receive 5 dollars every year as part of their treaty agreement. The Union Jack was on display and an RCMP officer decked out in traditional garb shook each individual’s hand as they got their cash. After this was done we had some traditional dancers perform which was great. Many of the dancers are students and the dancing seems to give off a real sense of pride. During culture week we were provided with many meals and I think I need the summer off as a break from all the bannock (fried bread) I ate.
The final couple of weeks were quite busy, school winding down as well as packing up my house. However we did manage some R and R time at a little retreat called “the Boathouse”. This is a great little picnic spot where we would cook supper on a campfire and relax.
The night before I departed was the Graduation ceremony, this was an elaborate event and I wish the students put as much effort into their studies as they did into decorating…wow. It was great to see the turnout for the ceremony and it wasn’t as long as the grads I recall in Flin Flon. I hope some of our grads do some positive things in the future….
Unfortunately the grad turned into a town-wide piss up. My end of town was rocking to a live band until 3 AM. And I was roused at 6 AM to someone knocking on my door… I didn’t answer it but when I peered out my windows there were people everywhere… some fighting, some staggering, some being taken to the drunk tank by our fine RCMP officers. It really wasn’t a great way for me to remember Sandy Bay, I was propositioned, funny story I’ll tell you about it when I see you….saw several fights and was invited to fight which I graciously declined…
Anyway I must say I am definitely ready for a break, it was a long and eventful year, but I am glad I experienced it. It was an eye-opener to say the least. I can't say I'll miss Sandy Bay over the summer but strangely I do look forward to the upcoming year, maybe I just miss the crew that gather at Roger and Marion's on Fridays and other select days....
G.
This is my final SB post for now but I will try to post regarding my summer adventures…
Culture Week/Treaty Day
Culture week was an interesting event, capped off by treaty day. During culture week students were exposed to native culture through displays of native art, workshops on traditional arts such as hide stretching, drum making, birch bark baskets, trap setting and other things. It was pretty cool and I made a birch bark basket with the assistance of one of the elders.
Treaty day was on the Wednesday of culture week and it was quite the event. The status Indians receive 5 dollars every year as part of their treaty agreement. The Union Jack was on display and an RCMP officer decked out in traditional garb shook each individual’s hand as they got their cash. After this was done we had some traditional dancers perform which was great. Many of the dancers are students and the dancing seems to give off a real sense of pride. During culture week we were provided with many meals and I think I need the summer off as a break from all the bannock (fried bread) I ate.
The final couple of weeks were quite busy, school winding down as well as packing up my house. However we did manage some R and R time at a little retreat called “the Boathouse”. This is a great little picnic spot where we would cook supper on a campfire and relax.
The night before I departed was the Graduation ceremony, this was an elaborate event and I wish the students put as much effort into their studies as they did into decorating…wow. It was great to see the turnout for the ceremony and it wasn’t as long as the grads I recall in Flin Flon. I hope some of our grads do some positive things in the future….
Unfortunately the grad turned into a town-wide piss up. My end of town was rocking to a live band until 3 AM. And I was roused at 6 AM to someone knocking on my door… I didn’t answer it but when I peered out my windows there were people everywhere… some fighting, some staggering, some being taken to the drunk tank by our fine RCMP officers. It really wasn’t a great way for me to remember Sandy Bay, I was propositioned, funny story I’ll tell you about it when I see you….saw several fights and was invited to fight which I graciously declined…
Anyway I must say I am definitely ready for a break, it was a long and eventful year, but I am glad I experienced it. It was an eye-opener to say the least. I can't say I'll miss Sandy Bay over the summer but strangely I do look forward to the upcoming year, maybe I just miss the crew that gather at Roger and Marion's on Fridays and other select days....
G.
Unregistered user # Wednesday, July 18, 2007 3:18:31 PM