O'Kelly School Winter Festival

February 28, 2024

On February 22, 2024, Ecole O’Kelly School held a Winter Festival, with learning stations inspired by the Voyageur era. All Kindergarten to Grade 8 students had the opportunity to visit 10 different learning/activity stations set up at O’Kelly School.

In addition to celebrating French language and culture, students gained a solid understanding of the deep connections and ongoing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples from pre- and post-Voyageur days, until today, and for our shared tomorrows.

The weather was fabulous, and students spent much of the day outdoors. Students had the opportunity to experience the following:

Introduction to Voyageur games using speed, strength, communication, and teamwork
Snowshoeing
Toboggan pull races
Making taffy treats from maple syrup
Learning French folk songs and dances
Introduction to the Fur Trade, Metis culture, and the Michif language with Metis Elder, Verna Demontigny
Introduction to jigging with Hailey and Hunter, talented, lifelong dancers who are part of the Asham Stompers
Live fiddle music to accompany jigging lessons, by Eldon Campbell
Live guitar music to accompany jigging lessons, by Mitchell Makoons. Mitchell is Roots/Rock musician from Brandon, Manitoba. Mitchell began playing guitar at age 7 to accompany his grandfather, Eldon Campbell, playing Metis fiddle tunes
Cooking bannock over the open fire and learning the ingredients for bannock in the Michif language with Raven Willoughby, Indigenous Education Specialist, Brandon School Division
A pancake breakfast on Friday, February 23 to celebrate our week of learning
Back to the Fur Trade presentation with Ms. Paige Savard, Senior Interpreter with Parks Manitoba

In addition to deep gratitude for the above-mentioned, knowledgeable guests who joined us to make the day a success, we wish to extend a sincere thank you to the following people:

Tricia Harpe, Base Accommodations Supervisor, CFB Shilo
Erika and O’Kelly Parent Advisory Council
Angie & Jeff, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School
Komfort Kitchen, Brandon MB
Roy, The Fringe, CFB Shilo