First Nations Education Steering Committee and
First Nations Schools Association
ARTISTS in EDUCATION
PROGRAM
2005/2006
FINAL REPORT
October 2006
First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association
Suite 113-100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2
T: (640) 925-6087 F: (604) 925-6097
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PROGRAM GOALS & OBJECTIVES
GRANT ALLOCATIONS
GRANT GUIDELINES
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
ARTISTS
PROJECT REPORTS
PARTICIPANTS
CULTURAL TRADITIONS
CLOSING REMARKS
PROJECT REPORTS
AATSE DAVIE SCHOOL......
BLUEBERRY RIVER BAND SCHOOL
GITWANGAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
GITWINKSIHLKW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
K’AK’OT’TATS’I SCHOOL
KISPIOX COMMUNITY SCHOOL
KUPER ISLAND BAND SCHOOL
KWANWATSI BAND SCHOOL
LACH KLAN ELEMENTARY, JUNIOR SECONDARY, NURSERY SCHOOL
LAU’WEL’NEW TRIBAL SCHOOL
MORICETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MORRIS WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PRESCHOOL
NEQWEYQWELSTEN SCHOOL
NISGA’A ELEMENTARY SECONDARY SCHOOL
QWAM QWUM STALICUT SCHOOL
SEN*POK*CHIN SCHOOL
SK’ELEP SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
SN’C’C’AMALA?TN SCHOOL
SXOXOMIC SCHOOL
TL’ETINQOX-TIN SCHOOL
X.O.X. MALKU SCHOOL
YAQAN NUKIY SCHOOL
YUNESIT’IN ?ESGUL SCHOOL
APPENDICES
Appendix A / 2005/2006 Artists Profiles by School
Appendix B / 2005/2006 Artists Medium
Appendix C / 2005/2006 Artists in Education Photo-Gallery
Appendix D / 2005/2006 Artists in Education Revenue & Expenses
Appendix E / 2005/2006 Student Representation by FNSA Region
INTRODUCTION
In 2003/2004 the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) partnered with ArtStarts in Schools, which provided a number of First Nations schools with an exciting new opportunity to bring artists into the schools for students.
The 2005/2006 years ArtStarts awarded grant funds of $17,500 specifically targeted for BC First Nations schools AIE projects. The FNSA matched the ArtStarts grant, which made a total $35,000 available for distribution to First Nations schools.
ArtStarts has jointly partnered with the FNSA to implement AIE projects that supported the needs of BC First Nations schools. The FNSA congratulates all the participating First Nations artists who shared their gifts of talent and experiences in an art medium for the benefit of First Nations students.
PROGRAM GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The AIE program goals and objectives:
- Exposed young people to workshops, performances, and residencies, which have artistic quality and educational merit;
- Promoted the arts as an area of study and professional employment;
- Facilitated communication between the arts and education communities by developing mutual awareness, respect and appreciation;
- Developed, maintained and expanded the market for professional artists working with children and youth to professional quality arts programming; and
- Balanced exposure of the arts to young people in remote, rural, and urban environments.
GRANT ALLOCATIONS
The 2005/2006 funding of $35,000 was distributed in the following way:
- Schools were randomly selected for grant eligibility with the assurance that schools were equally represented throughout the FNSA regional structure
- 24 First Nations schools were selected for the 2005/2006 AIE grant (but not the same as those selected for 2004/2005 year)
The BC First Nation Schools are divided into eight FNSA regions:
- Gitksan/Wet’suwet’en
- Haida/Tsimshian/Haisla/Nisga’a
- Kaska/Dene/Tahltan/Tagish/Inland Tlingit
- Kootenay/Okanagan
- Kwakiutl/Heiltsuk/Nuxalk/Oweekeno
- Nuu-chah-nulth/Coast Salish
- Secwepemc/St:’atl’imc/Nlaka’pamux
- Tsilhqot’in/Career/Sekani
GRANT GUIDELINES
The grant monies are used for artist fees for a range of quality workshops, performances or residencies that met a professional artistic standard, had educational merit and was offered by professional arts organizations and/or artists. Art activities encompassed the performing, visual, media and literary arts.
The FNSA schools chose to take part in the AIE program and fulfilled the grant requirements. At the time of the selection of First Nations schools to receive the 2005/2006 AIE grant, the member schools were advised that the grant could only be used for the following purposes:
- To pay professional artist(s) to provide a workshop or a performance in the school;
- To pay a professional artist(s) an appropriate honorarium to provide tutoring, instruction, or extra-curricular programming in the school; and/or
- To pay a professional artist(s) to undertake an art project with a student and/or group of students in the schools (such as carving, mural, creative writing, music, dance or other relevant project).
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The FNESC and FNSA fully implemented the AIE and were directly connected to the First Nations schools and communities. Existing administrative funding was used to cover the administrative costs attached to effectively organize, promote and administer the initiatives described in this AIE final report.
Twenty-four (24) First Nations schools each received grants of $1,450.00. In order to receive a grant, schools were required to submit a Letter of Intent describing how they intended to spend their allocations. The schools received 75% of allotted funds upon
approval of a Letter of Intent. Upon approval of a final report the remaining 25% of allotted funds were released.
ARTISTS
The 2005/2006 AIE school projects involved 29 talented artists in various art mediums. The artist’s profiles by school are listed in: (Appendix A). The artists included painters, actors, dancers, music, jewelers, drum-makers, storytellers, canoe builder, juggler, beader, and button-blanket designer. The artist’s mediums were categorized in (Appendix B) and as follows:
Artist Medium / Total NumberDrawing/Painters / 10
Theatre/Dance / 7
Music / 6
Carvers / 5
Storytellers / 2
Regalia/Beadwork/Mocasion Making / 2
Jewelers / 1
Drum-Makers / 1
Juggling / 1
Traditional Weaver / 1
Canoe Builder / 1
PROJECT REPORTS
School reports were submitted for the projects funded through the AIE. Project reporting consistently highlighted the artists’ expertise, gifts and talents that were truly inspirational for many of the participating students. The AIE school projects were held between October 2005 and May 2006. This final report contains a condensed description of the AIE school projects, a photo-gallery from those schools who submitted pictures (Appendix C), and a table of AIE revenue and expenses (Appendix D).
PARTICIPANTS
The 2005/2006 AIE school projects consisted of 1,264 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. These students were from the eight FNSA regional areas. (Appendix E)
CULTURAL TRADITIONS
A majority of the artists were selected by the BC First Nations schools and/or in consultation with their local First Nation communities. The FNESC and the FNSA administered programs by the distribution of program criteria and guidelines, but ultimately the First Nation schools and/or First Nation communities determine their own local specific needs and priorities. The School Principals selected local artists if available to work with students in at their schools.
The FNESC and FNSA were respectfully and culturally sensitive to many of the local artists selected by First Nations schools as they were chosen for their community recognition of gifts, talents and art medium. This was evident in the artist’s profiles and final report.
Selected artists are considered by First Nations to be “professional” artists. This consideration could be out of respect for an inherited talent, gift and/or training in a particular art medium passed down from a grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, and/or other family member who deemed the person to be a “carrier” of a particular art skill or expertise. Some artists preferred not to supply an artist profile, because it was a personal preference, an inherited gift, oral teachings, and/or a cultural protocol that dictates it not to be wrote down on paper. These requests were respected. Many of these artists taught their art in a traditional way, and in some instances with the inclusion of their traditional language, culture, stories, and/or teachings from a particular family and/or community.
The students’ lives were enriched with many of these cultural teachings that may have been shared through a story, hands-on, and/or by student’s learning a particular art medium. This method of cultural education gave many of the students a very rich and rewarding learning experience. Several students involved in the ArtStarts projects discover a hidden talent that led to the birth of a “new” and “upcoming” artist in First Nations communities.
CLOSING REMARKS
The FNESC and FNSA appreciate the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by the First Nations schools throughout the AIE initiatives. The 2005/2006 AIE years was a great benefit to both the artists and First Nation students. Representatives of First Nations schools and communities shared their project activities undertaken, and were confident that the AIE resulted in significant benefits for First Nations artists and their student learners.
The FNESC and FNSA looks forward to continuing our partnership with Artstarts to provide BC First Nations schools with an opportunity to offer AIE projects.
On behalf, of the BC First Nations schools our sincerest thanks to ArtStarts for their ongoing support, dedication and commitment to First Nations schools.
AATSE DAVIE SCHOOL
Project Description
The Aatse Davie School featured the Kaska Traditional Drummers from Lower Post, BC who prepared drum rings and hides for the school workshops. The group facilitated drum-making, recorded traditional songs, played stick gambling, and discussions took place on the importance of keeping the local traditions alive. Every afternoon the group held min-workshops on drumming techniques and each evening a stick gambling game was held in a local gym.
Project Details
Total Students / 60Grade Levels / Grade 2 -12
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 3- day workshop
Project Timeframe / Mar 31 - Apr 2, 2006
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,450.00Travel
/ $2,450.00Supplies
/ $1,000.00Total Expenditures: / $4,900.00
Project Partners
Kwadacha Nation / $2,450.00Aatse Davie School / $1,000.00
Project Outcomes
The Kaska Traditional Drummers assisted local Kwadacha traditional drummers and 24 local students from the ages of 7 to 12 years old in the art of drumming techniques. These participants learned traditional songs, drum making, and stick gambling. The Kwadacha drummers were encouraged to continue their drumming tradition through a local group who practiced their traditional ways.
BLUEBERRY RIVER BAND SCHOOL
Project Description
The Blueberry River Band School project had students involved in three different types of art as follows: cartoon drawing of Garfield, Spongebob and dinosaurs, turtles, butterflies, and other animals, watercolor pencil drawings, and landscape drawings. Due to a change in Principals the artist was unable to be identified by the new Principal of the school. The student testimonials did report about the art activities and the art portfolios they produced.
Project Details
Total Students / 19Grade Levels / Kindergarten – Grade 7
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 1 week workshop
Project Timeframe / October 2005
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,600.00Total Expenditures: / $1,600.00
Project Partners
Blueberry River Band School / $150.00Project Outcomes
There was a change in the artists that were scheduled for the school, but due to changes in the school personnel produced an impediment to report who the artist were replaced by. It is known that the students had produced an art portfolio of their work through the training provided by a local artist.
GITWANGAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Project Description
The Gitwangak Elementary School utilized Shawna Moore, a house member of the Gisgast Tribe who taught students how to make traditional and contemporary button blankets and other regalia.
Dance robes of button blankets have been used in the Gitskan area for many centuries; the designs are emblems of the dancer’s family history. They were first made when wool blankets were introduced from Europe. Native woman transformed the blankets into ceremonial clothing by adding appliqué crests, buttons, and abalone shells. Button blankets are still work today during feasts and public performances of song and dance.
The students and their parents made an assortment of men’s and ladies traditional button blankets specifically for school performances of song and dance.
Project Details
Total Students / 25Grade Levels / Kindergarten – Grade 7
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 4 workshops
Project Timeframe / Feb – May 2006
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,450.00Total Expenditures: / $1,450.00
Project Partners
N/A / $0Project Outcomes
The students appreciate traditional art forms, followed directions, listened to their Elders respectfully, developed teamwork skills, learned responsibility, and gained pride in their identity. During the month of May, 2006 the art group produced Kindergarten graduation robes and hats.
GITWINKSIHLKW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Project Description
The Gitwinksihlkw Elementary School hired George Peal, an artist who is skilled in traditional Nisga’a art. George started created a design that was used in a mural incorporating the crests of the four Nisga’a tribes and the lizard, a crest of the Village of Gitwinksihlkw. George visited each class and taught the features of Nisga’a art. The students practiced the different elements necessary to create art. Being a storyteller, while in the classes he told stories from the Nisga’a tradition. The students heard about their relationships to their uncles. The students researched their tribes and uncles through discussions with their families. George outlined the mural and then had the senior students paint it. When the mural was painted he had each of student put his/her handprint around the crest of the uncles. Each child in the school is now represented on the mural.
Project Details
Total Students / 36Grade Levels / Kindergarten - Grade 7
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 1 workshop
Project Timeframe / Apr 7 – Apr 18, 2006
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,450.00Material & Supplies
/ $1,186.97Total Expenditures: / $2,636.97
Project Partners
School District No. 92 / $1,186.97Project Outcomes
The mural hangs proudly above a library door and is the first piece of art observed as you enter the school. The students learned more about Nisga’a art and finished with a product they were proud of. George also provided the school with the original stencils of the four tribe crests so they could be used in future art projects and/or on regalia. As a result of this art project, the students have developed a new interest in creating their own artwork.
HALFWAY RIVER DAY SCHOOL
Project Description
The Halfway River Day School hired local artists Bella Fox and Clifford Achla who taught the students how to work with beadwork, moccasins, drums, and hide skins. The students had fun learning how to play a drum and sing traditional songs.
Project Details
Total Students / 16Grade Levels / Preschool – Grade 6
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 56 hour workshop
Project Timeframe / Nov 5 – May 6 2006
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,450.00Total Expenditures: / $1,450.00
Project Partners
N/A / $0Project Outcomes
The students were exposed to their aboriginal culture through the eyes of local artists. It was a great opportunity for them to explore their own artistic talents. By completion of the workshop, all the students had a greater appreciation for art and recognized the importance of art in their local culture.
K’AK’OT’TATS’I SCHOOL
Project Description
The K’ak’ot’tats’i School hired Rebekah Parlee, a local artist worked on several art projects with students. The primary students were taught painting techniques and sketching. The intermediate students were introduced to sketching, drawing to scale, and texture. Rebekah worked very hard with the intermediate students to create art projects that represented a local personal connection. Students were encouraged to create a sculpture using materials that were easy to find.
Heather Brown, a local artist taught students how to create a tile mosaic of totem poles. Together they painted tiles, baked, and glazed them before being assembled. In the end they replicated the five totems that now graces the front of the school.
Trevor Nelson, a promising local artist who carves masks and paints in the Indian tradition taught two groups of students about traditional native art and culture, including painting and carving. The students learned how to carve and paint traditional artifacts. They also practiced the techniques of carving wood and painting native art pieces.
Project Details
Total Students / 34Grade Levels / Kindergarten – Grade 6
Total Number of Events/Workshops / 10 day workshop
Project Timeframe / Jan 31 – Mar 22, 2006
Project Expenditures
Artist Fees
/ $1,500.00Total Expenditures: / $1,500.00
Project Partners
K’ak’ot’tats’I School / $50.00Project Outcomes
Rebekah’s student’s projects are displayed within the community, which increased the student’s self-esteem. This guest artist was seen as a positive role model that inspired