First Nations students (Kindergarten to age 30) were invited to submit videos and artwork that tell stories of their First Nations cultures and everyday life. The following entries showcase their identity, their schools and their nation.
1. Ruth D.
Trent University, Ontario
This film serves as a reminder to all that Indigenous People are still here. Even after all the abuse, genocide, and trauma. We will always be here and we will contiune to speak up for those who couldn’t. We are family that will never be broken, we are resilient and we are still here. All footage was shot by myself and Aubrey and edited by us as well.
2. Parker M.
Senior Kindergarten, St Rita School, Ontario
A Poster board that illustrates what being first nations means to him.
The artwork displays photos of Parker’s immediate family, grandparents in their traditional regalia, images of dancing, local artwork with vibrant colours and his handprints in Red, White, Yellow and Black to symbolize the medicine wheel.
3. Miki E.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
“Fire” made of clay
Fire keeps you warm
4. Carter G.-T.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
It was earth. I did that because the earth has water and water reminds me of my clan – eel clan.
5. Katherine L.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Bear
6. Avri F, Grade 5
Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Wolf in a wolf paw. It reminded me of my clan, because I am wolf clan
7. Harvest F.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Teepee. I made a teepee because people lived in them before residential schools.
8. Kawenniiohstha C.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
A Bear and People hunting the bear. I did this because I remember that in Mohawk culture people hunted and fished.
9. Miya C
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Mini Wolf/Fish. I did them because the wolf reminded me of my dad’s clan.
10. Rarihwisakhe M.
Grade 5, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Feather – I did a feather because when I was a kid, I’d always find feathers on walks with my dog.
11. Kawenninehtha T.
Grade 7, Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, Ontario
Original Drawing
12. Camryn C.
Grade 7, Tsi Snaihne School, Quebec
This is a painting of the Medicine Wheel as a woman called “The Medicine Woman”. I was inspired by a gift my great-grandfather gave to my cousin. The only colours I used in my painting are from the Medicine Wheel. I chose not to put a face on her because it reminds me of a corn husk doll.
13. Derika L.
Grade 7, Tsi Snaihne School, Quebec
My beadwork is to make people happy and to see some history that our ancestors made and created in their work. Beadwork has been a part of our history for many generations.
14. Karson A.-C.
Grade 7, Tsi Snaihne School, Quebec
The serpent in the St. Lawrence River.
15. Dezirae D.
Grade 7, Tsi Snaihne School, Quebec
The Clans, pencil crayons and markers
16. River R.
Grade 7, Tsi Snaihne School, Quebec
The Flying Head – sculpture made of pipecleaners
17. Kaden K.
Grade 5, Beaverbrook School, New Brunswick
Using all the parts of the animal
18. Gracie A.
Grade 8, Superior Middle School, New Brunswick
My Grandmother – Nukumij
19. Angeleah B.
Grade 3, Chief Little Pine School, Saskatchewan
Angeleah dances and plays her kohkom character
20. Nakoda Elementary School Wild Program
Grade 4, Nakoda Elementary School, Alberta
Our video captures a day in the life of our NES Wild grade 4 land based learning program.
21. Gregory G.
Junior Kindergarten, Migizi Wazisin Elementary School, Ontario
Waking up my drum
22. Hailey E.
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“Lost Frog” Stop Motion Animation
23. Keyerstin G.
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“The Amazing Bears” movie
24. Sydnee N.
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“The Other Side of the River” Stop Motion Animation
25. Jesse G.
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“The Cave” Stop Motion Animation
26. Deon P.
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“Xsgaak and Ganaaw Find a New Home” Stop Motion Animation
27. Isabelle C
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“The Spooky House of Shady Lane” Stop Motion Animation
28. Adeline
Grade 6, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School, British Columbia
“Friends on the Loose” trailer
29. Isaac J.
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
30. Joelle W. and Nevaeh G.
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
31. Simon and Jarvis
Grade 5, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
32. Bailey W.
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
33. Billy H.
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
34. Keiron
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
35. Mackenna
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
36. Amiya
Grade 4, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
37. Dezmond
Grade 4, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
38. Julie G.
Grade 4, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
39. Micah
Grade 4, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
40. Rylen
Grade 4, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
41. Sunday and Brooke
Grade 5, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
42. Daanis
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
43. Derwin
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
44. Zander
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
45. Oren
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
46. Kristina
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
47. Denver
Grade 8, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
48. Memphis H.
Grade 7, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
49. Bella and Carmella
Grade 7, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
50. Nyasia, Kylee, Junior and Mikey
Grade 5, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
51. Peyton S.
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
52. Isaiah J.
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario
53. Kaiden W.
Grade 6, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside School, Ontario