Week-long celebration of culture and hands-on learning at Mayo school

April 28, 2015

MAYO—Students at J.V. Clark School in Mayo are participating in a full week of cultural learning through hands-on activities this week from April 27 to May 1 as Yukon celebrates Education Week.

“This school is hosting a full week of engaging activities and experiential learning opportunities for the students and community of Mayo,” Minister of Education Doug Graham said. “These events are a great example of how Yukon schools can weave First Nations traditional knowledge, language and culture into their programs and how a school community can work together on education initiatives.”

J.V. Clark School staff and partners from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Yukon College and the community organized this mini-rural experiential model and culture week.

The public is invited to join staff, students and volunteers for a community lunch at the school on Wednesday, April 29, starting at noon.

Students may participate in morning, afternoon and evening activities and workshops including: traditional medicine, an Elders wall tent, traditional games, photography and videography, rag doll making, gardening, drum making, sewing and beading, and Dooli lessons, which are lessons about the Northern Tutchone way of life. There will also be two workshops offered by Bringing Youth Toward Equality (BYTE): Digital Citizenship and Healthy Minds.

Evening events include moccasin making on Wednesday night and a multicultural international potluck at the school on Friday, May 1 evening.

“This is a wonderful event and we are glad that we can support the school and Yukon College to incorporate our Northern Tutchone values, culture and heritage into their activities,” First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun deputy chief Millie Olsen said. “We must continue to work together today for our children.”

This initiative aligns with Yukon government’s renewed focus on improving student outcomes through Yukon-specific educational programming.

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Contact:

Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca

Ronuk Modha
Communications, Education
867-332-5082
ronuk.modha@gov.yk.ca

NT5