PAGE 4 4 AMISKWACIY ACADEMY E D M O N TO N Monday 4 Tuesday 5 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 Friday 8 PUBLIC MA Y SCHOOLS Superintendent of Schools: Darrel Robertson 11 12 13 14 15 NO SCHOOL DAY IN LIEU Assistant Superintendent: Diana Bolan Principal: Fred Hines Assistant Principal: Lloyd Bloomfield 101 Airport Road 19 20 21 22 NO SCHOOL Edmonton, AB T5G 0W6 Ph. 780-424-1270 VICTORIA DAY Fax. 780-424-1284 INSIDE 25 26 27 28 HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9 INTERIM REPORTS IMMUNIZATIONS 29 JUNE 4 GRADE 12 GRADUATION JUNE 26 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, REPORT CARDS JUNE 29 LAST DAY OF OPERATION Principal’s Letter Tansi/Hello Parents &Guardians! Trustee: Ray Martin http://amiskwaciy.epsb.ca/ 18 201 5 THIS ISSUE: ELDER’S LETTER 2 WHAT’S HAPPENING? 3 INFO 4 GRADES 7 & 8 NEXT YEAR 5 SPRING FEAST 6 EAGLE CUP 7 2015 CALENDAR & UPCOMING EVENTS The spring feast was a success this year with a record crowd in attendance. Thanks to students, staff, parents and community supporters for all your hard work in preparing for the celebration. The amiskwaciy graduation is Thursday June 4th and it will be held at the school site. Invitations have been sent out and if you have any questions regarding the graduation, please contact Kelly at the front desk. I am pleased to welcome two University of Alberta students who are doing their practicum with us for the month of May. Sydney Bokenfor and Jessica Punko are gaining hands on experience at amiskwaciy and learning about a cultural school in the inner city. District surveys were distributed over the past two weeks. These surveys provide an opportunity for your voice to be heard and provide feedback to the school district. Starting in September 2015, amiskwaciy Academy will be a grade 7 to 12 school. Students enrolled in grades 7 & 8 will have access to Yellow Busing if you live north of the river. This is great news for amiskwaciy as it guarantees free and safe travel for the grades 7 & 8. Registered students will be contacted in August regarding pick up spots and times. As always, please join us for morning song and breakfast starting at 8:00am. Looking forward to seeing you at the June 4th graduation. hiy hiy 8 Fred Hines, Principal amiskwaciy Academy 2 PAGE Elder’s Letter 2 Teachings about the Eagle “Tansi Kakiyaw Nitotemak ” “Hello all my relations” Eagle Staff—The Eagle Staff is an important symbol to many North American tribes. The Eagle is a symbol of freedom, strength, and wisdom. Being a lover of the wilderness he lives and survives on the land and by the air. The eagle is a hunter and a fisher. Natives have always known the eagle as a warrior and will fight, especially if the young are threatened. The eagle is considered sacred. Because of his outstanding vision and power to attain great heights in the heavens and sometimes communicating in dreams and visions, the Eagle is recognized among the native people as a messenger of the great spirit. He represents the Thunderbird Spirits of the supernatural world who care for the inhabitants of our physical world. Qualities of great vision, balance, strength, speed, beauty, and kindness are attributed to this mighty bird, it doesn't kill senselessly, only to feed itself, and its family . The Eagle Staff symbolizes reverence for the Creator and all life. Similarly, Indigenous beliefs, upon bestowing of an eagle feather yields a mark of distinction and honor to an individual by a chief Elder. Have a great week! With respect, Elder Francis Whiskeyjack AMISKWACIY ACADEMY 3 PAGE 3