Aki as Teacher Spring Session

Aki as Teacher: Land Acknowledgement as an Act of Truth and Reconciliation continued March 19, with the spring session taking place at the Dakota Tipi Band Office in Dakota Tipi First Nation just to the south of Portage la Prairie. Over 30 participants and guests joined the session for a fun learning day, including Dakota medicine horse teachings with Kevin Tacan, and Dakota-style drum making led by Garret Tacan (teacher with Dakota Tipi School) and Dustin Hanska (teacher with Chan Kagha Otina Dakota Wayawa Tipi School). Medicine horse teachings addressed reciprocity and respect with horses. Mr. Tacan spoke on a non-ownership relationship with the horses he works with and how respecting their independence and spirit creates a stronger relationship with the horse. Some teachers related this lesson to the classroom, noting that children should not be forced into their lessons but guided with respect. Later, participating teachers enjoyed creating their own drums made of wood and hide. under Garret's direction, where he assisted with threading and knot-tying. Teachers took their finished drums home.

The fourth session of Aki as Teacher continues this June 4 on the Brokenhead Wetland Trail near Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.