Aki as Teacher Winter Session

Aki As Teacher continued this December 4 with indigenous games at the Fort Whyte Alive Siohban Richardson Station. This session invited language and land-based teachers to learn about indigenous games with Elder Norbert Mercredi and learn Cree stories with Elder Richard Keeper. Elder Norbert guided teachers through stretching and warmups before diving into game demonstrations. Teachers followed his lead in taking games indoors and outdoors. On the snowy day, they braved flurries and cold wind to enjoy learning games like lacrosse, where they tossed a ball back and forth with handmade original lacrosse sticks under the guidance of the Elder.  Elder Richard Keeper closed the professional development session with Cree stories, oral stories of creation.

The activities make for learning material that can be brought to the classroom to teach historical First Nations culture and promote physical health with hands-on learning.