The event marked the first of a new monthly initiative, in which the school will celebrate other cultures. (Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

St. Teresa of Calcutta School celebrates Indigenous culture

Mar 1, 2024 | 11:58 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – St. Teresa of Calcutta School in Lethbridge celebrated Indigenous culture on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Students, along with the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division’s FNMI (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) and (I)SWAG teams, participated in events including a drum circle, physical games, and classroom learning.

The event marked the first of a new monthly initiative, in which the school will celebrate other cultures.

Patti Pilsner, the school’s principal, said, “We started out wanting to expose our students to different elements of different cultures. We were looking at the arts and music and food, just all the celebratory pieces of culture.”

Along with the celebration of culture, the activities have other purposes as well. The hoop and stick games involve hand-eye coordination and improve dexterity and motor skills, while a chance game allows students to practice math.

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The hoop and stick games involve hand-eye coordination and improve dexterity and motor skills. (Photo: LNN)

Billy Woitte, Indigenous student access guide said, “I’m hoping that they take away another way to help their mental health and wellness with these easy games that can be brought from the land, you can make all of these games out in nature.”

She added, “Just a better understanding of where they are living.”

Pilsner added that the timing of the events was strategically placed, “Knowing how culture enhances mental health as well, that’s been kind of a priority, so we’ve placed this one after Pink Shirt Day, and we started with our First Nations community.”

READ MORE: Pink Shirt Day promotes anti-bullying and kindness

She added, “We are looking to expand that we are a very multicultural community and looking to celebrate the diversity of all the different cultures that the students bring to the school.”

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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