Catholic school makes room for native spirituality

Principal says students are more serious about their education

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Students at Ben Calf Robe School say Christian prayers as well as being introduced to native spirituality.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Attitudes and attendance have changed in the four years since Bryan Richardson became principal of Ben Calf Robe Catholic School.

"It has been a journey of faith with the staff and we see it in the academics of the children," said Richardson, 48. "The children are taking their education more seriously."

The K-9 school of more than 200 First Nation, Metis and Inuit children draws students from across the street and as far away as 150 km. They are bused in from the greater Edmonton area.

The students feel comfortable in a setting that not only recognizes and teaches their traditions, but encourages them. It gives them their identity, Richardson said.

"We are unique across North America in the cultural programming that combines the teaching and Gospels of the Catholic Church with the various aspects of native spirituality," he said.

"Because we have been doing this for 25 years, we have developed methods and traditions that other schools have difficulty replicating."

Ben Calf Robe began in 1981 when it was discovered that some 80 per cent of Aboriginal children did not complete high school. A wing of St. Pius X School was provided with the hope that if the children felt accepted and culturally comfortable, they might see their way to completing Grade 12. When St. Clare School became available, Ben Calf Robe was moved there.

Richardson was a teacher at the school 25 years ago and returned years later as its administrator.

Dance tradition grows

Four years ago, there was one child who wished to be initiated for dance, Richardson said. And the sacred tradition now includes half of the school.

"Dance for the children is prayer. It is to not get involved in all of the materialism and fast pace of society and doing the negative things that are often forced upon our children, but to walk the good red road," Richardson said.

Three years ago, two children wished to initiate and last year there were 13 - 10 of whom made it to completion.

"Completion is very important because there are four sacred sweat lodges and a whole year of teaching. The children must learn all of the teachings before they are presented with an eagle feather at our traditional powwow in May. The eagle feather is the highest honour," he said.

"And this year we have 100 dancers in the school. It's one of God's great miracles."

There are four sacred drums in the school and some 60 drummers. Drumming is the sacred heart beat of Mother Earth, Richardson said. "When the drum is beat upon, we believe that all of the prayers within the children are lifted to God."

"We use an holistic way of instructing the children with traditional knowledges and realities." Bryan Richardson

The similarities between Catholicism and native traditions and processes are evident, he said.

"For example, we believe Catholicism and native spirituality are equal," Richardson said. "We don't see one being more important and we don't see them being entwined. We do see them over-lapping at times."

Monthly celebrations

In their monthly liturgical celebrations, the school uses the Catholic rite but they bring in native spirituality in the methods of smudging and the prayers to the Creator.

"Whatever medicine we are using is no different than the incense burning in church. An elder tells a legend story like the Gospel and homily. There is a closing celebration where everyone greets each other like 'Peace be with you.'"

There is respect for both, Richardson said.

"In our cultural traditions, we have healing circles, prayer circles and sacred sharing ceremonies that involve native spirituality where spirits of the grandfather and grandmother are honoured, asking them to take prayers through the medicines used, up to Creator - God," he said.

"Our mission is that children are special gifts from God. We use an holistic way of instructing the children with traditional knowledges and realities to create, prepare and inspire them to see God in themselves and love one another."

Richardson said the children consistently feel better about themselves because they are meeting the goals of their educational plan. There is also a commitment by the parents to have their children in the cultural and language program.

Richardson has initiated discussions with Edmonton Catholic Schools for the cultural and language school program to continue for high school students in the district. He would like to see Ben Calf Robe expanded to include Grades 10-12.

"We certainly have a vested interest in having the children stay here," Richardson said. "We have instructors here who have 400-year-old teachings. That is very hard to replicate."

Neighbourhood schools

As it stands, the district brings education and counselling to its high schools through Aboriginal learning services.

"We have pushed the idea that kids should be able to walk from their home to their neighbourhood school and any Aboriginal services they might require is brought to them rather than having to travel somewhere else. The exception is Ben Calf Robe," said Doug Nelson, director of Aboriginal learning services.

He said growth of the Aboriginal population in Edmonton is extraordinary as more families are moving to the city. Aboriginal learning services is expanding its programs in an attempt to keep pace.

"St. Francis of Assisi (K-6) has a Cree bilingual program that began two years ago, where there are 140 self-identified children as First Nations, Metis or Inuit. We are looking at a Cree bilingual program at Our Lady of Peace where 66 students have self-identified themselves as First Nations, Metis or Inuit."

Encouragement for students

Aboriginal learning services has representation in 56 of the 86 Catholic schools - available to 90 per cent of all Aboriginal students in the district. The purpose is to connect with students who might be feeling isolated, encouraging them to continue with their education, graduate and be successful.

The recently completed Rainbow Spirit pilot project undertaken by Edmonton Catholic Schools and Alberta Learning revealed how providing integrated Aboriginal education is a huge benefit to the students.

"We have a lot of work to do but we are on the right track," Nelson said.

Richardson says staff at Ben Calf Robe is dedicated to building resiliency skills in the children so that school is considered a safe place for them where they can learn.

He often tells the students that life is about life-long learning. And if you dream something, dare to do it.

"Our students are leaving here now and becoming more successful," he said.

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