(Facebook/ Chinook's Edge School Division)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Deepen understanding

John Wilson Elementary School take part in week-long Indigenous culture residency

May 14, 2025 | 5:10 PM

Staff and students at John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail had an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Indigenous culture earlier this month.

From May 5 to 9 they participated in a week-long Indigenous cultural residency which featured a wide range of learning experiences including medicine walks, tipi teachings, Indigenous story telling, and traditional dance.

“It provided powerful lessons in cultural respect and diversity,” said Angela Warke, Principal of JWES, in a media release. “Students were eager to come to school each day, excited to take part in the day’s featured activities.”

The school worked with Indigenous knowledge keepers Clare Butterfly and Dakota Bauder to design and run the activities.

Butterfly appreciated the openness of the staff at the school which allowed her to provide a wide range of Indigenous teachings.

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“The students at the school were so eager to learn, and asked so many questions,” Butterfly said. “It is very heartwarming to see young people so willing to learn about, and participate in, Indigenous culture. That is true reconciliation.”

(Facebook/ Chinook’s Edge School Division)

Warke added, learning through the land helped students become more connected with where we live, work, earn, and play. She felt the week left students and staff with an enhanced cultural awareness.

“It has provided increased confidence, tools, and strategies for incorporating Indigenous content, as well as opportunities for collaborative learning and shared growth,” Warke said. “We appreciate the support of Chinook’s Edge School Division. Having the opportunity to learn from Clare Butterfly through our Indigenous cultural residency enriches our ongoing journey of learning, truth and reconciliation.”