By Colleen Flanagan, Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows News
Grade 6 Aboriginal students from across the school district gathered at Westview secondary on Thursday for the biannual Ignite program.
About 100 students from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows attended the two-day event, which runs in the fall and spring.
Students were assigned to one of eight clans named after an animal. Then there was an opening circle before the students started their rotations in a variety of activities that connects them to their culture.
This year students took part in weaving, lacrosse, Metis dot art, wood burning, drumming, archery, medicine pouch making and beading.
“We’ve got some goals that we work on to really try and connect kids more with their culture and their community,” said Jonathan Wheatley, with the School District NO. 42 Aboriginal Education department.
He says the camp, among other school district initiatives, have proven successful when it comes to Aboriginal graduation rates.