Working with Experiences Canada, and under the direction of teacher Heather McPhail, the Interact club at Central Peel Secondary School (CPSS) worked to arrange two student exchanges with Indigenous high schools.  The main purposes of the student exchanges were to learn about a First Nations community and to develop an appreciation for a culture that is far removed from the urban diversity that is Brampton.

 

Learning about First Nations issues has been part of the broader Social Sciences curriculum at Central Peel S.S.  In particular, issues such as land claims, residential schools, the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have piqued the interest of our students. These are significant issues that all Canadians should be more aware of. By connecting with First Nations communities, not only did our students develop an appreciation of each other’s unique cultures and communities, but a dialogue was started about what needs to be done to ensure that all peoples in Canada, regardless of nationality, race, and culture, are respected and treated fairly.

 

These two exchanges created a deeper, more meaningful understanding of these issues.

 

The students from Central Peel visited the Dene Nation of Northwest Territories (2018) and the Nuxalk Nation of Bella Coola, BC (2019).  In return, 15 students from these communities visited Brampton for two weeks and were treated as guests to experience our culture.

 

The exchanges created meaningful friendships and had a great impact on all of the youth involved.  To learn more and to see the continuing impact of the exchanges at CPSS, click here.