学生、家庭、员工和社区成员于4月10日聚集在欧内斯特·曼宁中学参加由卡尔加里教育委员会举办的九年级过渡迷你圆舞会活动。这是一场庆祝原住民学生从初中过渡到高中的活动。

在原住民的生存方式、归属感、行为和认知中，每个人生阶段都承载着意义、目的和责任。当学生在他们的学习旅程中迈进时，他们继续塑造他们是谁以及他们如何将他们的才能带入这个世界。

正如作家理查德·瓦加米斯所提醒我们的：“我们所有的一切都是故事。从我们出生的那一刻起，直到我们继续我们的精神之旅，我们都在参与创造我们在这里度过的时光故事。这就是我们所带来的。”

在Tsuut’ina部落的知识传承者哈尔·伊格尔泰尔的引导下，以及Rocky Green（Tssut’ina Nation）担任Whipman和Charlie Goforth（Peepeekisis Cree Nation）担任Stickman，圆舞活动遵循传统的礼仪，旨在尊敬和支持原住民学生们从九年级过渡到十年级。

当晚活动从长者和组织者的传统烟斗仪式开始，随后进行了圆舞庆祝活动。传统习俗要求进行社区赠与活动来纪念这个场合，分享三明治和小吃，当地的原住民手工艺品供应商也增添了社区氛围。

对于拥有原住民青少年的家庭而言，这是一个反思和庆祝他们的孩子已经走过多远——以及前方光明的道路。

“我们跳舞跟随地球母亲的心跳来建立社区的愈合，庆祝和快乐，”多样性和学习支持顾问格洛丽亚·曼尼托皮斯说。

​​​​​​​​​​Students, families, staff and community members gathered at Ernest Manning High School on April 10 to take part in the Calgary Board of Education’s Grade 9 Transitions Mini Round Dance — an event that celebrated Indigenous students as they transition from junior high to high school.

In Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing, each stage of life carries meaning, purpose and responsibility. As students transition forward on their learning journey, they continue to shape who they are and how they will carry their gifts into the world.

As author Richard Wagamese reminds us: “All that we are is story. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with.”  

Guided by Tsuut’ina Knowledge Keeper Hal Eagletail, who served as emcee, alongside Rocky Green  (Tssut’ina Nation) as Whipman and Charlie Goforth (Peepeekisis Cree Nation) as Stickman, the Round Dance followed traditional protocols and was held to honour and support Indigenous  students as they transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10.

The evening began with a Pipe  Ceremony for Elders and organizers, followed by the Round Dance celebration. In keeping with tradition, a community giveaway was held to mark the occasion, sandwiches and snacks were shared and local Indigenous artisan vendors added to the community atmosphere.

For families with Indigenous youth, it was an evening to reflect and celebrate on how far their children have come — and the bright paths ahead.

“We dance to the heartbeat of Mother Earth to build community healing, celebration and joy,” said Diversity and Learning Support Advisor Gloria Manitopyes.