Remembrance Day wreaths

To recognize the sacrifices and achievements of those who have served and continue to serve, and to raise awareness about the efforts of Indigenous veterans, Shuswap Middle School’s Indigenous Education Workers Kaeli Hawrys and Theresa Johnson visited each class at the school to do Remembrance Day activities.

Each student made a Thunderbird poppy; symbolic of the power and privilege provided to us by those who have fought for us and watch over us as a community collective – the design recognition belongs to the S-hwu-hwa’us rendering of the Thunderbird, explains Johnson.

The poppies were assembled into wreaths and on Tuesday morning students from Morgen MacDonald’s class visited the cenotaph where they left some wreaths. Then they walked to the Salmon Arm Branch of the Royal Legion and to the District Education Support Centre where the students made a presentation about Remembrance Day and gifted some more of their wreaths.

Johnson adds that while presenting the information to the students on the efforts of Indigenous veterans, there was particular emphasis on the connections we all have to relatives and ancestors who were, and continue to be, guardians of our freedom through their service to our country.

As part of the presentation students also watched several videos, including one about Tommy Prince (one of Canada’s most decorated soldiers), and the Aboriginal War Veterans monument in Ottawa.