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Wandering
Spirit Survival School is a Native Way School supported by the Native
Community of Metropolitan Toronto and the Board of Education for
the City of Toronto.
In
operation since 1976, Wandering Spirit began as a volunteer school
at the Native Canadian Centre, later became an alternative school,
and then in November 1983, was recognized as a Native People's Survival
School, a distinct school category subject to distinct policies.
It
is located at 935 Dundas Street East. What makes Wandering Spirit
a special school? How does it survive in an urban environment? What
is the educational approach used in the school? How is the Native
Way or survival school different from other schools?
The
answers to these questions are found in the philosophy of the school
which has at its roots the culture and heritage of the first peoples
of Turtle Island. Based on primarily Ojibway and Algonquian ways,
it is this philosophy which has nurtured the school's growth and
which accounts for its success.
The
Philosophy of Education: Native Way Education Our philosophy of
education is based on our attitudes and responsibilities to our
Little People. Children are here to learn Parents are here to provide
Grandparents are here to teach All relating to the Sacred Circle
of Life This is the teaching we have received about the child: the
child is that which is central in all of us, the pure white light
of innocence, wisdom and beauty.
A
child is the sacred gift of the Creator, and therefore must be loved,
honoured, and respected as a special being. In the Sacred Circle
of Life, children are closest to the Creator.
The
Creator sees children as highly spiritual beings for they have not
been tainted or caught up in earthly pursuits as most adults. First
of all, what makes Native Way education distinct from other forms
of Native education is the fact that it is based on the traditional
beliefs and practices of Native ancestry.
It
is based on the spirituality that has been passed on to a select
few who practice and believe in the Old Ways. It is from them that
we receive our teachings about the child and Native Way education.
We
have the greatest respect for our Elders and spiritual teachers
who guide and instruct us, and we are in constant contact with them.
Secondly, Native Way education embraces different ways of teaching
and learning.
In
traditional times, a child's role in the community was considerably
different from what it is today and we find that education was conducted
in a different manner. In days long past, children and teaching
were not separate from day-to-day living, but an intrinsic part
of community life.
From
a very young age, the child was instructed by his relatives on how
to become a responsible community member, usually in an experiential
fashion. Traditional Native education was not restricted to one
teacher, nor to one setting, but prepared the young person for life
on more than one level.
Spirituality
was not separated either, but was an important part of all activities.
Therefore, our concept of education endeavours to link the past
with the present. Many people act as unofficial teachers and at
Wandering Spirit Survival School the Elders are particularly important.
They are our strongest link with the past.
While
we accept present-day ways of teaching, we have found that the Old
Ways provide a valuable and effective approach. The Sacred Circle
The circle is a sacred symbol in Native teaching because it represents
the natural cycles of our Mother, the Earth.
Every
morning at Wandering Spirit Survival School, we begin the day with
a circle or Sweetgrass ceremony. Sweetgrass is one of the four sacred
plants used in purification.
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When
we burn a braid of sweetgrass and smudge ourselves, we are bathing
ourselves in the pure smoke to wash away all feelings of negativity
- about ourselves and others. We sit in a circle facing each other
to form a bond or connection of positive energies by which we strengthen
and help each other.
We
make our offerings to the Creator, to Mother Earth and the Four
Directions. We smudge the room and around the circle so that it
cannot be infiltrated by any negativity.
This
is the time we make our prayers and offerings to the Creator. By
becoming centred through meditation, we become balanced and realize
our place in the universe and in relation to our relatives: the
four-leggeds, the winged, the swimmers and the crawlers.
This
is not only an enjoyable experience, but it allows us the time to
strengthen our life force (spirit), and to give thanks and to contemplate
our lives.
It
is beneficial to everyone, young people and adults, because it balances
our hearts and souls and minds, and we are able to proceed with
the day in a good way. This is what a senior student has to say
about the Circle: Before I stepped into the Circle of Life I didn't
know myself.
I always
wanted to be like other people. I dressed like my friends and I
never acted like myself, just so people would like me. Now I've
learned all about the Circle. The circle has taught me to pay attention,
to have respect for others, but one of the most important things
I've learned is self- respect.
Now
I feel like I know myself and I've come a lot closer to my mom and
dad. I feel really lucky to be in a school like Wandering Spirit
where I can come and sit in the Circle and feel that's where I want
to be. ( 15 September 1982)
The
Structure of Wandering Spirit Survival School The Ahkinomagai Kemik
Education Council Inc. (Ojibway for A Place of Learning) is the
main governing body of the Corporation, though we would stress that
all decision-making involves representation fr
om
the staff, parents and volunteers when appropriate. The Board of
Directors is elected yearly at a General Membership Meeting usually
held in October and nominees are drawn from the parents, staff and
supporters.
The
Board of Directors is guided by by-laws designed to implement the
Corporation's business and meets, on average, twice a month. The
other important body at Wandering Spirit is the Parents' Council.
The parents meet as a group bi-monthly to discuss their concerns
about the children, programmes and activities, as well as to be
brought up to date on general business. The parents are often members
of the Board of Directors, staff and programmes and thus play a
vital role at the school.
In
1985, the Toronto Board of Education unanimously endorsed a policy
to ensure that "Native Way" teachers and staff are hired for WSSS.
Since that date, all Toronto Board of Education staff working at
WSSS have been hired according to that policy.
The
staff presently consists of three full time teachers (JK-SK, 1-5,
6-8) an educational assistant, a part-time administrative assistant,
two lunch programme staff, French teacher, an Executive Director,
a part-time school community advisor, placement students and volunteers.
Future
Goals Many Native peoples across the continent have prophesied the
coming of the "Golden Age of the Red Race", the time when Native
people will take their rightful place alongside the other races
and share their knowledge of Mother Earth and the universe. This
is the future we believe we are preparing our children for.
The
survival of Native culture is not only important for Native peoples,
but for all peoples and on many levels. Native ways and culture
provide a valuable way of looking at our relationships with each
other as individuals, as collectives, as peoples and as races and
our relationship with Mother Earth and all other living things.
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