St. David students learn about the gifts of indigenous plants

Local artist and educator, Will Morin and parent of St. David School grade 1 student, M’Komii-Nodin Morin, facilitated the transplanting of traditional First Nation medicines, sweetgrass and sage, at the new St. David School in the Donovan.
Mrs. Cimino’s grade 1 students received traditional teachings on the importance of water and our relationship with the plant world. These same students one year ago, participated in traditional teachings by Morin where they planted sweetgrass seeds and nurtured the seedlings while waiting for the new school to be built. These traditional plants, sweetgrass and sage, are sacred medicines to the Anishinabek, Ojibwe people.
“Planting the seeds of inclusively in the world of education calls upon educators, parents and community members to literally plant seeds. Schools must work together and invite community into the school to share the their gifts and knowledge”.
“To Indigenous peoples, all plants are medicine, but so is education. With St. David School having such a large Indigenous student population and the school incorporating traditional knowledge throughout the curriculum all students, both Indigenous and non Indigenous, get to learn in an environment that is culturally inclusive and rich for positive learning experiences.” stated Morin.