首次在卡尔加里教育局（Calgary Board of Education）举行了一个崇圣的雷霆烟斗启封仪式，时间是2月8日星期六，在Piitoayis Family School举行。由雷纳德和奥德丽·韦塞尔·特拉维勒（Lenard and Audrey Weasel Traveller）主持仪式，雷霆烟斗携带者斯图尔特（Stewart）、凯西（Kathy）和伊基托皮（Laine Breaker）参与工作。Piitoayis学校的员工和家庭荣幸地出席了整天的仪式。

为这一天的准备工作包括学生们有机会参与四种核心价值观之一的Kimmapiiypitsinni（善良），通过制作礼物来进行回报，以在仪式上分发。在知识传承者巴布·霍思福尔（Barb Horsefall）和Piitoayis校长Iikiinayookaa（Marlene Yellow Horn）的指导下，各年级的学生制作了珠绣奖章、串珠项链、缝制烟袋和制作乌鸦天使玩偶。这种文化技能教育的土著课程是与传统知识传承者一起进行的，并得到了教室教师的支持，他们很高兴能够体验到进一步支持课堂学习的教学法。

此外，教师们通过与长者路易莎·弗雷泽（Louisa Fraser）和金·弗雷泽-萨德尔巴克（Kim Fraser-Saddleback）参与与彩带裙相关的教学来为这一天做准备，他们使用彩带用来缝制裙子和衬衫。然后在仪式准备和参与过程中使用裙子和衬衫。

按照仪式规定，2月8日凌晨开始进行盛宴的准备工作。教师们在早晨7:30抵达学校，穿过新降落的雪地。共同工作的机会帮助教师们培养了一种社区和同事之间的归属感，通过参与盛宴准备来发展文化技能。这些重要的教学法和课程，通过盛宴和仪式的准备学到的，由教师们带入课堂，与阿尔伯塔教育部的学习计划无缝地融合在一起。

卡尔加里教育局的土著教育战略强调“每个学生都会在他们的学习环境中感到被了解、联接和支持”，而参与崇圣束启封仪式的机会可以帮助教师们支持土著学生培养归属感。Iihkitopi评论称，学校社区的参与让他感到“这就是和解的样子”。Piitoayis Family School的四个核心价值观之一Aatsimmoiyihkanni（灵性和仪式）渗透在建筑中，支持学生理解卡尔加里教育局对土著的知识、存在和行为的重视。

感谢阿尔伯塔省法院法官卡伦·克劳思胡（Karen Crowshoe）慷慨的指导，她带领教师们向参与者提供盛宴。参与者中有许多人通过脸部绘画参与仪式，并支持校长Iikiinayookaa对学生的学业成功、安全和家庭支持以及员工的健康进行誓约。与会者包括总监克里斯托弗·乌西（Christopher Usih）、教育总监迪安妮·罗尔森（Dianne Roulson）和卡尔加里教育局的许多土著教育团队成员。

非常感谢仪式人员、办事处员工、管理者Iikiinayookaa校长和副校长本杰明·威廉姆斯（Benjamin Williams），以及能够参加的职员和家人们。心怀感激。

A first-ever event in the Calgary Board of Education, a Sacred Thunder Pipe bundle opening took place Saturday, Feb. 8 at Piitoayis Family School. The ceremony was lead by Lenard and Audrey Weasel Traveller who officiated the work of the Thunder Pipe Carriers Stewart, Kathy and Iihkitopi (Laine Breaker). Piitoayis staff and families were honoured to attend the ceremony that spanned the day.

Preparations for the day included students, who had the opportunity to engage in one of the four core values Kimmapiiypitsinni (kindness), engaging in reciprocity, by creating gifts to be distributed at the ceremony. Under the guidance of knowledge keepers Barb Horsefall and Piitoayis Principal Iikiinayookaa (Marlene Yellow Horn), students in all divisions beaded medallions, strung beaded necklaces, sewed tobacco pouches, and created crow angel dolls. This Indigenous curriculum of cultural enskillment took place working alongside traditional knowledge keepers and with the support of classroom teachers who were thrilled to experience pedagogies that further support classroom learning.

In addition, teachers prepared for the day by participating in teachings related to ribbon skirts with Elder Louisa Fraser and Kim Fraser-Saddleback, which they used to sew ribbon skirts and shirts. Skirts and shirts were then used through preparations for and participation in ceremony.

Following protocols, feast preparations began early the morning of Feb. 8. Teachers arrived at school, through freshly fallen snow, at 7:30 a.m. The opportunity to work together supported teachers in developing a sense of community and collegiality, engaging in the pedagogy of working alongside and developing cultural enskillment through feast preparations. These essential pedagogies and curriculums, learned through feast and ceremony preparations, are carried forward into classrooms by teachers where it is seamlessly braided together with Alberta Education’s Programs of Study.

The CBE’s Indigenous Education strategy highlights that “each student will feel known, connected, and supported in their learning environment” and the opportunity to participate in the Sacred Bundle Opening supports teachers in supporting Indigenous students in developing a sense of belonging. Iihkitopi commented on the participation of the school community, stating he felt that “this is what reconciliation looks like.” That Aatsimmoiyihkanni (spirituality and ceremony), one of the four core values of Piitoayis Family School, infuses the building supports students’ understanding that Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing are valued within the Calgary Board of Education.

The generous guidance of Karen Crowshoe, an Alberta provincial court judge, was appreciated as she lead teachers through serving the feast to the many attendees. Many in attendance participated in ceremony by having their faces painted and supported Principal Iikiinayookaa as she made a vow for student academic success, safety, and family support, as well as staff wellness, to the bundle. Among the attendees were Chief Superintendent of Schools Christopher Usih, Education Director Dianne Roulson, and many members of the Calgary Board of Education’s Indigenous Education team.

Much appreciation to Ceremonialists, board office staff, administrators Principal Iikiinayookaa and Assistant Principal Benjamin Williams, and staff and families who were able to attend. Hand to heart in gratitude.