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Native Studies Courses 

Wow, we are very proud to announce that FESS is currently in its second year of offering Native Studies courses! In the school year 2007-2008, FESS ran two sections of NAC 101 – Expressing Aboriginal Cultures, a grade nine open course that students really enjoyed. For the 2008-2009 school year, Nac 101 will be offered both semesters and a new course, entitled Aboriginal Voices at the grade eleven level will be offered. Aboriginal Voices is a course where novels will be read that are written by Famous and Contemporary Aboriginal Authors. Courses in Native Studies are currently all taught by Mrs. Maracle-Gerritsen, She is a member of the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan and her family originates both from Deseronto as well as Six Nations Of The Grand River.     Some of the places and activities the students get to see and experience are:

• Field trips
• The Woodland Cultural Centre, Chiefswood Museum, Six Nations Tourism center, Iroqrafts, The Mohawk Institute, The Mewinzha Archeological Exhibit ( displays 1.2 million First Nations Artifacts unearthed in Fort Erie), The Canadian Aboriginal Festival, The Art Gallery of Ontario (The AGO) to see the Tsimshian  Exhibit, Six Nations of The Grand River Reservation, and a  nature walk. Preparation and crafting for Aboriginal day (insert pictures of field trips) 

• Guests and Workshops included our local woodburning artist, Mr. Earl Dionne, Respected First Nations Elders, talking circles, Ojibway Storyteller Aaron Bell, Traditional drummers, singers and dancers, and of course, our annual Aboriginal Day Celebration! (insert pics of workshops)

• Aboriginal day Celebration This year will be our fourth annual Aboriginal celebration. The date is TBA as during the National Aboriginal Celebration that is June 21, the students are in exams. The event has generally occurred in May and is a spectacular day for all FESS students, teachers and invited guests! The day is in partnership with the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre and generally includes:

• Opening Thanksgiving address in the Traditional language

• Traditional drumming, singing, dancing and a speaker who explains the various meanings and significance of the drum, dances and some of the ceremonies.

• (pictures of Aboriginal days)

• A Traditional Luncheon of First Nations Food prepared by First Nations Elders as well as our Chef here, Afshin Keyvani and the students

•  A variety of workshops offered to students in the afternoon. This past year, we were pleased to offer Woodcarving, Medicine Wheel Teachings and the construction of Medicine Wheels and Medicine bags, Traditional Medicines teachings, Wood burning workshop, Traditional cooking workshop, Drumming workshop, Lacrosse workshop and others! (pics of workshops)

Native Studies Courses are fun, unique and open for everyone to take and a place where we can learn to respect and appreciate one another as well as Mother Earth!  Sign up Today! You won’t be disappointed!