Iinii Insights 

Moon Teachings: Deer Moon and the Change of Seasons 

In Blackfoot teachings, Na’toosi (Grandfather Sun) and Kokomiki’somm (Grandmother Moon) help us understand the cyclical nature of time and our connection to the natural world. As the seasons change, the moons remind us to observe and learn from the plants, animals, and environment around us. 

The September full moon is known as Awakaasiiki’somm (Deer Moon). During this time, deer begin preparing for the colder months by shedding their summer coats, removing the velvet from their antlers, and gathering nourishment before food becomes less abundant. 

As we move into October, we look to the skies and the winged ones. The next moon, Sa’aiksi Itaomatooyi, means “When the Ducks Leave,” marking the seasonal migration of ducks and reminding us that change and renewal are part of the natural cycle of life. 

These moon teachings offer opportunities for students to connect with Blackfoot ways of knowing and to deepen their understanding of the land, seasons, and all living beings. 

At NLC this Week 

Nutrition Plan 

Orange Shirt Day at NLC

While Orange Shirt Day is officially recognized on September 30, Niitsitapi Learning Centre will honour Orange Shirt Day on September 28 and 29. We invite students and staff to wear orange on both days.  

Through stories, songs, and classroom activities, students will celebrate their strengths as Indigenous children, and explore the importance of identity, belonging, and community. As a school, we will also read Brave Like Buffalo by Melissa Allan and Jadyn Fischer-McNab, and learn about the teaching of iikakimaat, gifted to the CBE by Elder Casey Eagle Speaker.  

Every Child Matters. Every Child is Strong. 

Invite | National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Events  

All CBE staff, students, families, friends, and neighbors are invited to continue learning and show support at the 5th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day event taking place at the Confluence Historic Site on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 9-10:30 a.m. This important community gathering is a collaboration between the City of Calgary, CBE, Calgary Catholic School District, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, and The Confluence. A CBE group photo will be taken at the CBE Smudge Tipi at the end of the event. Meet us there! 🧡  

For more information, visit City of Calgary events. FREE Parking! All Calgary Parking on-street parking is free on September 30 each year. Looking for more ways to engage? Check out these community events. All are welcome.  

• University of Calgary & Calgary Public Library National Day for TRC 
• Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence 
• Werklund Centre National Day to TRC 
• Indigenous Runners Alliance Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk 

Knowing Na’a (Mother Earth): Land as Teacher 

Our Truth and Reconciliation Commitment: Land, Language, and Learning 

At Niitsitapi Learning Centre, learning from the land is an integral part of our programming throughout the year. Through our Knowing Na’a land-based learning experiences, students regularly spend time outdoors, building relationships with the land and deepening their understanding of place. 

This work is closely connected to our Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action commitment: 

We commit to integrating Indigenous languages into land-based learning opportunities, recognizing the land as a teacher and language as a living expression of culture, identity, and relationship. Through regular experiences on the land, students and staff will engage with Indigenous languages in ways that respect the traditional territory and the diverse Indigenous communities of Niitsitapi Learning Centre. 

As part of this learning, classes regularly explore the school grounds and surrounding area. These experiences create opportunities for students to engage in Indigenous land-based and place-based learning while deepening connections to language, culture, identity, and place. 

Blackfoot Elder Casey Eagle Speaker reminds us that, “Land-based learning is not an intellectual exercise... it forces us to use our feelings, our heart.” As students spend time on the land, they are invited to learn with their whole selves. They engage their spirits through wonder, meaning, and interconnectedness; their hearts through relationships with the natural world; their bodies through seeing, hearing, smelling, and feeling the gifts of the season; and their minds through listening, questioning, investigating, and exploring. 

By learning from the land and engaging with Indigenous languages, students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their community, and the teachings that surround them every day. 

As outdoor learning takes place in all seasons, families are encouraged to send children dressed for the weather each day so they can fully participate in these meaningful learning experiences. 🧡 

Elbow River Healing Lodge Wellness Clinic 

We are pleased to share that the NLC Wellness Clinic is now open and will continue to operate every Wednesday during regular school hours. 

In partnership with Primary Care Alberta and Elbow River Healing Lodge (ERHL), the clinic brings a physician into our school to support the health and well-being of NLC students, their siblings, parents, and extended family members. The clinic provides culturally responsive primary healthcare and helps improve access to health services for families who may not currently have a family doctor. 

This clinic is about more than providing medical care. It creates a welcoming space where Indigenous students and families can access culturally responsive healthcare that honours and celebrates their identities. When children feel safe, valued, and understood, it supports both their overall well-being and their ability to learn and thrive at school. 

Need a Family Physician? 

Families who do not have a family physician are encouraged to access the Wellness Clinic. Services include health promotion, prevention, screening, and early intervention supports for Indigenous children and families. 

Accessing a Pediatrician 

If your child is waiting to see a pediatrician, ask your family doctor for a referral to the ERHL pediatrician.  
New and existing patients can book appointments or learn more about the Wellness Clinic and pediatric referrals by contacting ERHL at 403-955-6600. 

Construction Update and Bus Lane Reminder 

As construction continues, the entrance to our school parking lot remains closed. During student arrival and dismissal, our school buses require access to the designated bus lane, as access to the parking lot is limited. . 

We kindly ask families not to stop, park, or enter the school bus loading zones along Dover Ridge Drive between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 and 3:20 p.m. Please ensure bus loading zones remain clear so buses can safely pull into their assigned spaces and load or unload students. 

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and support in helping keep our students safe and ensuring our buses can arrive and depart each day efficiently. 

Interested in Volunteering at NLC? 

We are grateful for the support of families and community members who help make Niitsitapi Learning Centre a strong, welcoming, and vibrant place to learn. 

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the school must complete the Annual Volunteer Registration Form each school year.  For more information about volunteering, please contact the school. 

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and knowledge with our students and school community!