THE BATTLEFORDS - The Living Sky Innovation Fund is asking community partners to help raise $30,000 through their 2023 Season of Giving campaign to expand on current land-based learning programming in an effort make it accessible to students across the Living Sky School Division.
"Land-based learning is an authentic act of reconciliation as it broadens perspectives and creates meaningful connections to Indigenous languages and cultures," reads a statement from LSKYSD.
Funds raised will purchase a trailer filled with relevant learning materials, that will travel to schools year-round. The organization will partner with local knowledge keepers and Elders to engage students and staff as they learn and continue building relationships with First Nation and Me虂tis communities.
"Students benefit from the opportunity to grow in understanding of sustainable land practices, how those practices impact the future, while learning cultural aspects of respecting and learning from the land. Materials will be collected to reflect different seasons and regional areas for specific place-based learning."
Sherron Burns, learning consultant with Living Sky School Division, says, “We believe ‘the land is our teacher, the universe is our classroom’ because we recognize the land is sacred and provides all we need for life.
"We have worked with many elders and teachers over the years who have helped inspire a desire to deepen our understanding and we believe this project will help us do that," she added.
The Season of Giving campaign is running from late November to the end of December.
To donate, individuals or businesses can visit the , www.bdcf.ca, or reach out to Christeena Fisher at the Living Sky School Division office for more information by calling 306-937-7702.
“The Season of Giving is our first annual campaign for the fund and we are thrilled to launch it as the start of several initiatives that will run in 2024. We hope our communities will join us in giving the gift of possibility to our students," Fisher said.
March 30 marked the official launch of the fund, established through the Battlefords and District Community Foundation.
