Celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day at G. C. Huston School

It was a sea of orange today, June 21st, in celebration of National Indigenous People’s day at G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton (ON).

With Southampton and Saugeen First Nation living as neighbours on either side of the Zgaa-biig-ni-gan’ … “We Are Connected bridge over the Saugeen River, the school body is made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.  The school is unique, where the Ojibway language and culture is part of the curriculum.

According to Principal Hugh Morrison, Native Language teacher and translator, Marilyn Roote, organized the special event with several First Nation’s performers that included the Saugeen First Nation Men’s drummers and the Women’s singers and drummers along with junior Jingle dancers.

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The morning event began with junior students at the school performing O’Canada in Ojibway with ASL (sign language) accompaniment.

                 Grade one students then also sang Happy Birthday in both Ojibway and English

The Saugeen Women drumming group performed two selections – the first a tribute to the land and the second the Water Song, where the entire school joined in.

                                                                      Time to return to class