On Thursday our staff met with Melissa Austin, District Principal for Indigenous Education, and Bear, a respected First Nations carver and the son of well know carver Doug Lafortune. The purpose of our meeting was to explore ways in which Bear could interact with our students as an Artist in Residence. After a productive discussion the following was agreed upon:
- Bear will become an Artist in Residence at Prospect Lake for the spring term
- Individual classes will work with Bear for thirty minutes each week
- Sessions will focus on the carving of a Welcome Pole to be displayed in the school
- Children will be involved in the carving in a safe manner that does not involve cutting tools
- Bear will share stories and information about the carving, his culture and the Prospect Lake area, from an indigenous people's perspective
- Additional activities may involve drawing and children completing an individual cedar pendant for themselves
- Our outdoor learning spaces will provide opportunity for Bear and/or other individuals to share the ways indigenous people interacted with the natural environment
We welcome your comments and feedback regarding this exciting project at Prospect Lake Elementary.
Prospect Lake Staff