Pronunciation: nee-hee-yee-yah

Meaning: ‘Niihiyiyat’ derives from the Tsuut’ina language and translates to ‘Guide Us’ in English. The Tsuu’tina language is a district variation of the Dene language family.

In this course, students will be guided by land based literacies, experiential learning, teacher instruction, online exploration and community partners (Elders, Knowledge Keepers, mentors and other experts in related fields). Through holistic, student-centered, multimodal and strength-based instruction, students will be invited to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways, such as storytelling, songs, oral presentations, visual presentations, performance, writing or digital representations, and cultural and expressive arts. Learning through the Niihiyiyat course will be enriched when the four seasonal quarters are applied as a way to explore and engage in learning.

Honouring Life Program 

Permission letters have been sent home with self-identifying indigenous students for the Honouring Life Program. This is held in the Indigenous Learning Space in Room 205 every other Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m. and is led by two great facilitators from the Calgary Aboriginal Friendship Centre. There is room for 25 students to join this amazing program. It will continue from September 24th and be bi-weekly until the end of the school year.

Letters must be returned with a parental/guardian signature to attend.

Smudging

Smudge is a traditional practice shared by Indigenous cultures across Na’a (Mother Earth in Blackfoot). Every nation has their own protocols and teachings regarding the practice of smudge. Smudge is a land-based ceremony rooted in the practice of acknowledging all relatives and reinforcing connection with Creator; it is a cleansing practice that sets the space for truth-telling (Alberta Recreation & Parks Association, 2020).

In Treaty 7 territory, smudge typically involves burning a small piece of dried medicine such as sage, sweetgrass or cedar inside a fire-proof container, such as a cast-iron dish or abalone shell. According to Dr. Elder Reg Crowshoe, smudge serves as a “call to order” (Alberta Recreation & Parks Association, 2020). In our learning context, smudge serves in a similar manner to the school bell that heralds classroom teaching. At Ian Bazalgette, smudge is offered every morning before school in the Indigenous Learning Space.

Participation in smudging is optional.