Happy October from Salmo Secondary School! We began our ABED program this year gathering for traditional foods of pemmican and candied/smoked salmon. The pemmican from Mitsoh food is widely loved by all students. While the sun was shining, we went out in the community to harvest rosehips to make tea. It was a beautiful morning full of laughter and togetherness. 

In the classroom, teachers have been integrating a variety of texts from Indigenous authors or with Indigenous content. In English 10, students explored the idea of intended erasure by viewing pictures of what Salmo used to look like and seeing how swamps had been filled, and land had been cleared. They also looked at a historical account of Salmo that discusses members of the Colville Indian Reservation travelling here to sell horses, fish and hunt and the impact the border had on these traditions. In Socials 9, students also explored the idea of intended erasure. In English 9, students honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by reading “I Lost My Talk” by RitaJoe. In French students read a book about Orange Shirt Day. 

As a whole school, we honoured National Day, for Truth and Reconciliation with an assembly in the gym followed by a heart garden project, inspired by the FN
Caring Society. As a staff we continue to be committed to using the Circle of Courage as an inspiration for our interactions with students and our school goal this year is focused on independence. 

We are looking forward to hosting an amazing jeweler, Naomi Bourque, this month to teach our students how to make authentic Indigenous jewelry.