September was a busy month filled with adjustments, new routines, and new connections.  Jesse and Liv, Aboriginal Academic Success Teachers, had a fabulous time connecting with our new Grade 10 cohort and reconnecting with 11s and 12s and are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together on creating a rich, exciting, Ab Ed program for the 2022/23 school year!

We were so overwhelmed with the school-wide support honouring Truth and Reconciliation week at LVR– teachers and students truly made an effort to express their loving condolences, affirmations, and hopes to all Indigenous Nations.    The hallways were aglow with Orange Hearts honouring Residential School survivors and so many messages reflected understanding about the painful intergenerational impacts of the Residential School system on families and communities.    To truly reconcile means to fully acknowledge the truth that a relationship is broken, how deeply the fractures reach, and intentionally take active, meaningful steps towards mending and healing.   The outpouring of love and understanding brought tears to our eyes.

On September 29th LVR classes participated in the “Heartbeat March” with Trafalgar in a strong show of support– the passion, commitment, and call to action was evident in the turnout… a swell of orange singing and clapping to the beat of the drums.     We returned to enjoy mouth-watering “Bannock Tacos” that were ready to devour from the cafeteria (I was lucky to arrive in a nick of time to purchase the last one as they were very much sought after).  Big thanks to Jesse, Mrs. Nazaroff, and students working hard to craft the perfect, buttery, toasted bannock!

We are looking forward to celebrating the many ways we can connect, learn, and grow together this year.  

Submitted by Liv Hilde, Aboriginal Academic Success Teacher, L.V. Rogers Secondary School