Richard Froese
South Peace News
Indigenous students at Peace River High School now have a covered restorative circle to provide space to honour their culture.
White Buffalo Lodge was officially opened Oct. 4 at a ceremony with school and Peace River School Division representatives and invited guests, says an Oct. 16 PRSD news release.
Elder Dave Matilpi guided the ceremony and shared the meaning behind the structure’s name.
The restorative circle has a layered meaning. The White Buffalo is a sacred symbol of harmony, peace and balance in many Indigenous cultures.
A project launched one year ago, the restorative circle was constructed to be a place for the school’s Indigenous students to be able to practice, celebrate and share their culture with the entire student body.
PRHS Indigenous co-ordinator and teacher Jonathan White proposed the project.
Moving forward, the school division is excited to see the White Buffalo Lodge used as an additional tool to enrich student life in Peace River through experiential outdoor learning.
Funded though a portion of the PRSD budget allocated to support projects that advance Truth and Reconciliation, the covered circle provides Peace High with a space designed specifically for the school’s Indigenous students, says an Oct. 13 PRSD news release.
White says the restorative circle is a special place for Indigenous students.
“The feeling is that they are culturally underrepresented at the school,” White wrote in the grant proposal to PRSD.
Benches and a removable fire pit are featured inside.
Although the space is designed for Indigenous students at Peace High, the restorative circle will be a place where all students and staff can come together to interact, reflect and gather in ceremonies.
The restorative circle is located in a highly-visible site on the school property, which will allow all students the opportunity to learn about and/or participate in culturally relevant and ceremonial activities.
White also has the vision that the restorative circle may be used by other teachers and classes for a variety of educational activities.
He suggests the circle could be used for outdoor education classes learning about fire safety and fire-burning techniques, foods classes learning about cooking over an open fire, and Science classes studying combustion rates and the flammability rates of materials.
