Grade 6 Students Welcome Author David A. Robertson
Mr. Bradley’s Grade 6 class at St. Anne Catholic School had the privilege of hosting and welcoming writer David A. Robertson after they read his fantasy novel, "The Barren Grounds."
Throughout the novel, students had the opportunity to make connections to the Cree language, Cree and Indigenous themes such as star stories, the medicine wheel, animal mythology, and messages about environmentalism and relationships with the land.
Students prepared a few things ahead of Mr. Robertson's visit. Students volunteered and practiced presenting an introduction of who Mr. Robertson was, with a short biography and list of his accolades. The class also coordinated with the DCDSB Indigenous Education team to mirror a scene from the book where the characters offered tobacco to an Elder. The Grade 6 class chose to offer Mr. Robertson a small pouch of tobacco to show that students were familiar with the idea of "asking somebody to share knowledge" and it provided a rich experience where the class could participate in a cultural tradition. Lastly, with the help of Mr. Bradley and the school principal, students spoke to Mr. Robertson about making a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivor's society as a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation on behalf of the St. Anne Catholic School community.
The Grade 6 students were extremely grateful for the knowledge Mr. Robertson has shared with the community at St. Anne Catholic School, and they hope to continue having a positive relationship with him as they learn and educate themselves on Indigenous teachings through his literature.