Clark Peters, Penhold Crossing principal, and Clare Butterfly (right) with completed artwork at the school. (Supplied/CESD)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

FIRST YEAR

CESD sees progress in Indigenous cultural residency projects

Apr 16, 2025 | 9:51 AM

Schools in the Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) are beginning to see the results of an Indigenous residency program that began this year.

The opportunity created five in-school residencies in an effort to work towards truth and reconciliation, and CESD hopes to budget for the same number in 2025-26.

This year’s residencies are:

• Penhold Crossing: Art residency
• Hugh Sutherland School (Carstairs): Métis residency
• John Wilson Elementary School (Innisfail): Seasonal Indigenous learning
• Penhold Elementary School: Elder in residence
• Sylvan Lake schools and Poplar Ridge School: Art residencies

While some projects are still underway, several have been completed.

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At Penhold Crossing, Cree artist Clare Butterfly has created four paintings to hang in the student gathering area near the front entrance of the school. Each contains one of the four colours of the medicine wheel, as well as directions.

Each painting also contains images from the area and markers of those areas important to Indigenous people, in each direction heading away from the school. To the east is Dry Island Buffalo Jump and to the south, Antler Hill, both traditional hunting grounds. Peace Hills is displayed as the northern marker, where the Blackfoot and Cree made a peace treaty 200 years ago. To the west is A-Soo-Wah-Um, a spot in the Red Deer River where the water is low enough to walk across, part of an Indigenous trade route.

Butterfly also aided in designing the Sylvan Lake and Poplar Ridge projects, which included painting tipis at H. J. Cody School, Steffie Woima Elementary School and Beacon Hill School. Students also provided input into the project.

“The tipi gives us a beautiful place for conversation and learning,” said Georgie Perigny, vice-principal at Beacon Hill. “We believe this will strengthen our inclusive and welcoming community.”

Artwork was also created by Butterfly for Fox Run School, and was completed earlier this year.

It includes four panels featuring the fox and stories of the Indigenous people. Butterfly is expected to visit the school on May 1 to tell the stories shown in the panels.

At Poplar Ridge, Butterfly spent 25 minutes with each classroom, telling stories and sharing insights. He also demonstrated how to put on Indigenous regalia, describing each item and its importance. The school then gathered for an assembly, where Butterfly and his son showcased cultural dances.