Ojibwe Sound Chart

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Seven Generations Secondary School 

Washagamis Bay (Kenora Campus)

The Seven Generations Secondary School is pleased to welcome Washagamis Bay First Nation into our educational fold.  The campus will be situated in downtown offices in Kenora.   The community and their members are very excited to have the opportunity to obtain secondary credits and work towards their secondary school graduation diploma. 

All interested potential students can go to 121 Matheson St. S. in Kenora to begin their studies. 

SGSS Personnel

The Seven Generations Secondary School is pleased to announce two new appointments. Ms. Mary Fawcett and Ms. Laurel Spalding have joined the teaching staff of Seven Generations.  The school is pleased to have added two experienced and knowledgeable individuals to the staff.  Mary Fawcett will be the instructor for the Washagamis (Kenora) satellite campus, while Laurel will be teaching at the Wabauskang campus.  Both Mary and Laurel are very excited to start their new teaching assignments and we wish them the best in their new positions.   

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Mrs. Wapioke’s ECE Class - Kenora Campus

This has been a really busy couple weeks for everyone! We started the semester a week late, so we’ve had to cram a lot of information in, in a short amount of time! So far, all the classes are going good. We started off with child development. Here we are learning the process of how a child grows, right from conception and onward to adolescence. We’ve studied chapters 1-4 so much I’m sure most of us have them imprinted on our brains! We are all learning so much valuable information, and today (October 4th) we got to put it to the test! Literally. We had our first quiz.

Some of our students are working on our High Scope Curriculum project. The Theme is October, and we are all to do a bulletin board with information and other bulletiny type items.

There are examples of the art projects we did with our High Scope class. We had to do a complete lesson plan, prepare an activity, and then present the idea to our class as if they were children in a preschool. All the projects were really well done, and everyone did an excellent job with their presentations.

We are learning a lot about how to properly design a daycare’s curriculum and what’s important to include, such as routines, and themes. So far High Scope Curriculum has been a very interesting class!

We are quickly nearing the end of both of our current classes, so keep an eye out for some important reminders.

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Egotist

The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people.
Lucille Harper

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First Nation Student Success Program

Brent Tookenay, Anna Demchuk, Kim Kirk and Ron Berezowski

Seven Generations Education Institute has embarked on an exciting new journey, expanding their support, to First Nation Elementary Schools, in the area.  The First Nation Student Success Program is an initiative to improve student learning in Literacy and Numeracy from Kindergarten through Grade 8.  Using a variety of assessment strategies, best teaching practices, professional development, and educational resources, the FNSSP program support team has began working with students, teachers and principals to improve student learning. 

The FNSSP Support Team has met and began working with teachers and students at, BaiBomBeh Anishinabe School (Whitefish), Pegimigaabo School (Big Grassy), Onigaming School (Sabaskong), Zhingwako Zaiganing School (Lac La Croix) and Windigo Island School (On Lake of the Woods).  After assessing the needs of each school the FNSSP team has determined what resources are needed to improve student learning and are providing the resources and profession development to each school.  The technology support person involved with the FNSSP has assessed the technological needs of each school and will provide continued IT support throughout the school year.

The students, teachers, and principals in all of the schools involved, in the program, have been working diligently to take advantage of new learning opportunities, and to gather a baseline assessment of literacy skills for all students from K-8.

The FNSSP team has enjoyed their travels to the schools and looks forward to connecting with communities during our December Literacy celebration with David Bouchard.

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Fall Harvest Workshop Celebrations October 4 - 6, 2011

In 2011, the first week of October was nothing but beautiful weather, and our Annual Fall Harvest Workshop Celebrations went off without a hitch. It must have been the same kind of weather 148 years ago when they had signed the Treaty #3 agreement down the river and around the corner plus a couple of miles from here.

Our purpose of the Fall Harvest Workshops is simple, teach the youth about how things are done in terms of survival. Some people must get weary of me writing ‘there were no grocery stores or hardware stores in the not so distant past and survival meant knowing what and where things were and how to get them’. One could argue that, we don’t need to know these things anymore because there are grocery and hardware stores just down the street.

And so we find ourselves showing children how to skin a deer and the parts of meat used for food. Smoking the meat is a technique used in preserving it for future use and not go bad, which is another available station. We show the kids how to treat the wild rice plant, after it was harvested, in order to eat it. There are a couple of crucial steps involved before someone can actually throw it into the pot. Cleaning fish and the different types of fish caught in this area, is also demonstrated; as well as smoking the fish as well. Learning about how to work the hides after they have been cured and ready to make into clothing is yet another area offered to the students. The Bannock Making station is always a favorite, and the ladies there are kept quite busy. Fried Deer Meat, popped Wild Rice are two other delicacies offered up this year.

As always, all the students in attendance are expected to contribute into the making of their lunch over the open fire pit provided to them. They are to collect a handful of Wild Rice from that station to add into the pot. They had a choice in what to use in regards to the fish and deer meat. Most of the cooks used both, fried fish and deer stew made fresh along with bannock is hard to beat almost anywhere.

And so the students not only witness these exercise’s, but participated where they could. Parching, dancing winnowing and finishing the Wild Rice is the most job intensive. We don’t put knives into these children’s hands, so they can only watch the cleaning of fish. We do allow them to pluck the geese though. They learn about the animal in not only the substance they provide, but the parts that can be used also, like the feathers. One of the new stations was a ‘Fish Net’ making demonstration, so they couldn’t actually make a fish net, but only learn how it was done. The deer skinning is another station where they can watch only. Yet they do learn the science of it, or biology of the animal. The Elders who teach, talk about the parts and their uses. They show the how’s and where’s and why’s and not just butcher work.

Every year, there is always something new, and so our modest event keeps getting bigger and better. And it is with the contributions made by our Elders that make it such the success that it is. And so we show the students alternative ways in ‘after obtaining food’, how to make it last. They are reminded that there were no grocery stores or hardware stores a long time ago. Survival meant work, knowledge, guts and the will to live and support one another in a harsh environment, not that long ago.

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The Prospective Juror

A prospective juror in a Dallas District Court was surprised by the definition of voluntary manslaughter given the panel: "An intentional killing that occurs while the defendant is under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause, such as when a spouse's mate is found in a compromising position."

"See, I have a problem with that passion business," responded one jury candidate. "During my first marriage, I came in and found my husband in bed with my neighbor. All I did was divorce him. I had no idea that I could have shot him."

She wasn't selected for the jury.

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PLATO

This is an exciting time for Seven Generations because of the acquisition of ESPORT and PLATO web learning networks. PLATO Essential Skills Online is an e-learning program designed to help learners develop the Essential Skills they require for the jobs they are seeking.

ESO acknowledges prior learning and skills and offers instruction and practice focussed on new skill development. Perspective students wanting to enroll in one of our programs, and who may lack some of the skills for admittance, will now have the opportunity to upgrade in a timely manner to qualify for acceptance in our courses. That’s amazing!

There is no longer the wait and delay, so if you do not have a GED or High School Diploma and if one of our courses seems appealing, come in and see us for an interview. We have staff willing to help you identify a career path and provide you with an essential skills inventory and a means of helping in your pursuit of further education.

For those who are enrolled in our programs, PLATO will assist in helping reinforce and improve skills as needed. PLATO assessments include the following: Math, Reading, Writing, Language, Science and Employability Skills.

We at Seven Generations continue to make every effort at improving the delivery of our programs. 

For more information on this program and what it can do for you, contact Dana Bridgeman Cross at danabc@7generations.org or call 807-274-2796

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Program Description:

A full-time program designed to help participants prepare for employment or further education

 What to expect:

We offer work related upgrading in:

• Workplace communications
• Numeracy
• Lifeskills
• Workplace essential skills

 Special features of this program:

• initial assessment for placement in program
• ongoing assessment to measure progress
• individualized training plan outlining short and long-term goals
• transportation/childcare support for those who qualify

 Who is eligible?

• adults 19 years of age and older
• those who want to enter or return to the workforce, or further education
• those who need help with reading, writing, math and computer skills
• those who have a Grade 12 education or less
• those who are motivated and able to commit to a full-time program

 Contact:  

Wayne Zimmer, Director Apprenticeship Programs

Seven Generations Education Institute

Box 1640, Kenora, ON P9N 3W7

PH: 807-468-3096

Email: waynez@7genenerations.org 

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Ecology Tips: Conserve and Preserve

Dress warm to use less heat.

Dress cool to use less air conditioning.

Close doors and windows tight, so heat or ac does not seep out.

Do not leave the refrigerator door open; decide what you want to eat before you open it!

Turn off lights and appliances right after you finish with them.

Take shorter showers or take baths instead of showers (you'll use less water)

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Chilli Cook off 2011 

SGEI Culinary Arts students attended the great Canadian chilli cook-off in late October at the local legion. We had entered five of the students chilli this year. It was very exciting to have more than one entered into this competition, having different style of chilli's to offer. We had also brought some of our own bannock to the cook off.  This proved to be a good idea, as a lot of people not only loved it, but kept coming back for more.

The name of the chilli's that were made were:  A.J’S Chilli by Anita Johnson, Sweet BBQ Chilli by Tim Bruyere, Canadian Chilli by James Boire, Chicago’s Chilli by Macy Chicago, and Big T’s Chilli by Derek Turcotte.

This year the chilli cook-off had Halloween theme; we had all the students dressed up. There was a bride, doctor, Batman and Robin, some were in their chef outfit with fake blood on it, and some with creepy masks.

As always, it was a great turn out and all the students and teachers enjoyed themselves. There was also a lot of local people who attended the cook off.  All of our students got to sample the competitions chilli as well, and then vote for their favourite one.  Overall, our Anita Johnson and Macy Chicago were tied for third place, the Judge’s award . 

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| Anishinaabe Phrases| Anishinaabe Sounds | Jokes | Stories | Just Because | Top |

 Stuff Just Because...

All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?

It took five minutes for the TV warm up?

Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?

Nobody owned a purebred dog?

When a quarter was a decent allowance?

You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?

All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels?

You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?

Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?

It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?

They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . and they did?

No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?

Lying on your back in the grass with your friends and saying things like, "That cloud looks like a .."

Playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game?

Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?

And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once, you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace, and share it with the children of today?

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited the student at home? Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.

Do you remember a time when...

Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-moe"? Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do Over!"? "Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest? Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening? It wasn't odd to have two or three "Best Friends"?

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was "cooties"?

Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot?

A foot of snow was a dream come true?

Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures?

"Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense?

Spinning around, getting dizzy, and falling down was cause for giggles?

The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team?

War was a card game?

Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle?

Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin?

Water balloons were the ultimate weapon?

| Anishinaabe Phrases| Anishinaabe Sounds | Jokes | Stories | Just Because | Top |

Does it prove that life is hard by the fact that no-body gets out of it alive?

Resolutions

Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the sick and the aged, sympathetic of the poor, tolerant of the weak and the wrong...........at sometime in your life you will have been all of these things.