Youth Voice for Reconciliation
“What does reconciliation mean to you?” This was the opening question posed in the first circle of Youth Voice for Reconciliation (YV4R) at Salmon Arm Secondary (SAS) last September. The diverse answers shared planted seeds for conversations, ideas, and connections that guided the YV4R group throughout the 2023-24 school year.
YV4R (Youth Voice for Reconciliation) is an extra-curricular inclusive lunchtime group facilitated by SAS’s Indigenous Education staff Chelsey Hill and Chinook McLean. Chelsey is Michif (Métis) / Chippewa (maternal) and Métis / French / Swedish (paternal) and born in Secwepemc Territory. Chinook is non-Indigenous and was born on Kaska Dena Kayeh Territory (in the Yukon) to first and second-generation immigrant parents of English, Scottish, and Dutch heritage. Both Chelsey and Chinook consider themselves travellers at heart, and visitors on Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwepemc territory).
Pause for a moment and consider how you would answer before you continue reading – what does reconciliation mean to you? What does it look like? Feel like? What is being done? By whom? Who else needs to engage in the conversation? What is your vision?
One of the succinct answers shared that afternoon was that “reconciliation feels like this.” This was the gathering of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and staff, who took turns sharing with and listening to each other. Some on chairs, some on the floor, and some leaning against tables. All invited to the circle. All respected. Some circumspect, soft-spoken, or just a little bit tongue-tied. Others more eloquent. Firey even. Speaking truth. Everyone respectful.
In early 2024, YV4R received the great news that their Reconciliation Confluence Project would be supported by an Artists in the Classroom grant. School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) and the Salmon Arm Métis Association also contributed funding to support the creation of the Reconciliation Confluence.
YV4R received guidance and inspiration from connections made with Secwepemc, other First Nation, and Métis Knowledge Keepers and artists throughout the school year, such as John Sayers, Dodie Jones, Dr. Meredith Rusk, Linda August, and John Jones. Chelsea Prince (SD83 Director of Instruction – Indigenous Education) was an integral support from YV4R’s inception, and once Indigenous Education Principal Kristen Crawford joined School District No. 83 in the spring, she too continued the trend of enthusiasm and encouragement for the inclusive group.
Grade 11 student Emerson Lawless explained how as a collective group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and staff, the ArtStarts grant for our Reconciliation Confluence meant they “were able to work with amazing Indigenous artists like John Sayers” and “learn and talk with the many Knowledge Keepers who were willing to come and share with us.”
The Reconciliation Confluence art project was created as a response to the following inquiry question: How can a visual representation of values and concerns relating to, and important to, Indigenous Youth today promote and prompt reconciliation at, and within the confluence of, school, land, and community?
June was National Indigenous History Month, and YV4R expanded to include not only grade 11 and 12 “mentor” students from SAS, but also “mentee” students from four other schools for a field trip to the Quilakwa kekulis on Splatsin land in Enderby. Youth from grades 5 to 12 listened and learned alongside one another to stories told by Knowledge Keeper John Jones inside the pit house, and then attempted pine needle weaving under the tutelage of his John’s elder sister, fellow Knowledge Keeper, and retired SD83 Indigenous Education Worker, Dodie Jones.
As grade 12 student Aurora Johnny puts it, “It was pretty awesome that the idea that we could involve the younger Indigenous students within the district became a real thing. I know they really appreciated it and felt important. Which is something the older Indigenous students felt like (we) lacked growing up in the district.” Aurora is a member of the Adams Lake Indian Band, and it was she along with fellow Secwépemc grade 11 student Callum August who conceived of the mentorship idea in the Indigenous education room at SAS after a YV4R meeting. Right before everyone hopped on the bus to leave, many hugs were exchanged, and a visibly moved John Jones thanked Chelsey and Chinook for bringing so many Secwépemc children “home”.
If you visited SAS on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21st), you likely would have found Emerson working hard on her birthday to complete her contribution to the Reconciliation Confluence Project – a collaboration with fellow grade 11 student Heidi Miege. In Emerson’s words, “The crosswalk and circles gave YV4R a space to bring more Indigenous Knowledge and awareness into our school. However, these art projects also gave us a place to share a part of our own history.” Emerson is Métis and her project featured elements from her culture, including a Métis sash and flower beading. “We had a voice”, shared Aurora, and “I think it’s really awesome that (YV4R) was student led. Super cool for the ego and great representation.”
Molly Dickson, a non-Indigenous grade 12 student, kicked off the painting project by sweeping the pavement at the SAS gates in a study break during finals, and Janessa Wilson, a grade 11 online student from Lytton First Nation, concluded it (for this year anyway) by putting the final touches on gate guard Coyote. Between these “bookends,” countless students, staff and family members connected to YV4R contributed to the final physical art project in a multitude of ways, including sweat labour, supply runs, ideas, car rides, and moral support. At the confluence of school, land and city, everyone is welcomed in Secwepemctsín: “weykt” (“Hello”) and bid farewell “me7 wíksti” (“See you”) at the main gate’s new crosswalk.
It is Youth Voice for Reconciliation’s hope that the Confluence will promote cultural safety for Indigenous people at SAS and physical safety for everyone. The Reconciliation Confluence artworks can be found at the gate and the main entrance of Salmon Arm Secondary School.
This project was supported by an Artists in the Classroom grant disbursed by ArtStarts in Schools and funded by the Province of British Columbia and the BC Arts Council.
(Information and images provided by Chinook McLean)