Iinii Insights 

Thanksgiving Learning and the Honourable Harvest 

As we move into harvest season, our students are exploring lessons centred around Thanksgiving that include Indigenous perspectives and expressions of gratitude to Na’a for the many blessings and gifts in our lives. 

In her work, Robin Wall Kimmerer presents The Honourable Harvest, a practice that is both ancient and urgent, applying to every interaction between people and Mother Earth. While its protocol may not be formally written down, it can be summarized as: 

• Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek. Abide by the answer. 
• Never take the first. Never take the last. 
• Harvest in a way that minimizes harm. 
• Take only what you need and leave some for others. 
• Use everything that you take. 
• Take only that which is given to you. 
• Share it, as Na’a has shared with you. 
• Be grateful. 
• Reciprocate the gift. 

These teachings encourage us to build a deeper relationship with Na’a, with one another, and with all our relatives: the land, the water, the sun, the moon, the plants, the trees, the four-legged, the winged, the swimmers, and all living beings that share this world with us. Through this learning, students are reflecting on the importance of gratitude, respect, stewardship, and sharing. They are being encouraged to consider how they can put these teachings into practice through their everyday actions, whether by caring for our learning spaces, showing kindness to others, sharing with classmates, or appreciating the gifts of the natural world around them. 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling. It is something we demonstrate through our actions and our relationships with others. We are thankful for the gifts we receive each day, for the opportunity to learn and grow together, and for the strong partnership we share with our families and community. We wish all of our families a joyful and meaningful Thanksgiving season. 🧡 

At NLC this Week 

Nutrition Plan 

Exploring the Colours of O'ko (Fall) in Preschool

Our Preschool learners have been busy exploring the beautiful colours of O'ko through hands-on art and discovery activities. As they mix colours and create new shades, they are also strengthening their fine motor skills through painting, drawing, and other creative experiences. These activities encourage curiosity, creativity, and early learning as students observe and celebrate the seasonal changes around them. 

Learning Through Play: “Wake Up, Kiaayo!”

This week in Phys Ed and Wellness, students explored the world of the bear, or Kiaayo in Blackfoot! We talked about what bears do in the fall as they prepare for the colder months and where they find shelter to rest. 

To bring our learning to life, we played “Wake Up, Kiaayo!” In this exciting game, one student takes on the role of the sleeping bear while their classmates call, “Wake up, Kiaayo!” The bear must listen carefully and count how many times they hear the call before jumping up to tag their classmates, who then join the bear in its den. 

This playful activity builds connections between Blackfoot language and learning from the natural world while strengthening important skills such as numeracy, counting, listening, and working memory. Through movement and imaginative play, students are discovering how learning can connect language, culture, physical wellness, and the teachings of the land. 

On the Right Path | September Attendance Recognition 

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding attendance of our students during the month of September! 

A special congratulations goes out to our students who earned On the Right Path Perfect Attendance recognition, demonstrating an incredible commitment to being at school each and every day. 

We are also proud to recognize the students who received On the Right Path Attendance certificates for attending 90% or more of instructional time during September. This recognition celebrates students who are building strong attendance habits and showing up ready to learn, connect, and contribute to our school community. 

Attendance recognition is based on each individual month, giving every student a fresh opportunity to be recognized throughout the school year. Regular attendance helps students build routines, strengthen relationships, and maximize their learning opportunities. Every day students come to school, they are learning, growing, and helping our school community thrive. 

Congratulations to all of our September attendance recipients. We look forward to celebrating many more students throughout the year!  

School Council / Principal Advisory Meeting 

We invite all parents and guardians to join us for our next School Council / Principal Advisory Meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about what is happening at school, share your ideas, and connect with other families. 

📅 Date: October 29 
🕧 Time: 11:30 a.m. 
📍 Location: Family Room 

A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by contacting the school office, 403-817-3404. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Ok’o (Fall) Celebration of Learning Assembly 

We are excited to welcome families to our first Celebration of Learning of the school year. At NLC, we gather seasonally to celebrate the learning, growth, and accomplishments of our students through songs, photographs, student work, and teachings.

This year's Ok’o (Fall) Celebration of Learning will be led by our Grade 1 and Grade 2 students and teachers, who will share some of the learning, experiences, and teachings they have explored this season. While the presentation is led by our Grade 1 and 2 classes, it reflects and celebrates the learning journey of all NLC students as we come together as one learning community.

📅 Date: October 29
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. (prior to the School Council Meeting)
📍 Location: NLC Gym

NLC hosts four Celebrations of Learning throughout the year, providing opportunities for students to share their learning with families and to recognize the wonderful learning happening across our school community. We hope you can join us as we celebrate our students' growth, creativity, and success.

Halloween at NLC 

Halloween at NLC will be a fun and engaging learning day. While classes will not be holding Halloween parties, students may participate in Halloween- or autumn-themed learning activities throughout the day. 

On Friday, October 30, students and staff are invited to wear costumes or cozy pajamas if they wish. We will also celebrate our school spirit with a Halloween parade in the gym. 

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable day for everyone, please keep the following guidelines in mind when selecting a costume: 

• Choose a costume that is comfortable and safe for both indoor and outdoor activities. 
• Students should be able to wear appropriate footwear and outdoor clothing with their costume. 
• Avoid long capes, oversized accessories, or items that may create tripping hazards. 
• Do not wear masks that obstruct vision at school. 
• Please leave costume props at home. 
• No costume weapons, including toy guns or swords, are permitted. 
• Avoid costumes that are overly frightening, graphic, or gory, as we want all students to feel comfortable and included. 

Thank you for helping us create a safe, welcoming, and memorable Halloween experience for all students. 🎃

Save the Date: Commũn-I-Tea – October 23

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, October 23 and join us for a late morning of connection, conversation, and community at NLC. Commũn-I-Tea is an opportunity for families, staff, Elders, and community members to gather, share stories, and strengthen relationships in a welcoming space.

More details will be shared in next week's newsletter. In the meantime, please view the invitation here: Commũn-I-Tea invite

We hope you can join us!

Healthy Smiles at NLC 

Earlier this week, students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 brought home consent forms for the Community Oral Health Program. With parent/guardian consent, students can receive a visual dental screening and fluoride varnish applications to help support healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay. Initial fluoride varnish applications are scheduled for October 28 and 29. 

Please review and return the consent forms if you would like your child to participate. Consent remains valid for future years that the program is offered at NLC, unless a parent or guardian chooses to update information or withdraw consent. As this is a multi-year consent, families whose child previously attended NLC in Kindergarten or Grade 1 and already have a signed consent on file may not receive a new consent form this year. If your child already has consent on file and you no longer wish for them to participate in the program, please contact the school office to let us know. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to support healthy smiles and healthy learners at NLC 

TELUS Spark Indigenous Science Night: Stones, Stories & Stars 

Families are invited to attend TELUS Spark's Indigenous Science Night: Stones, Stories & Stars on Friday, October 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. This special event brings together Indigenous astronomy, storytelling, planetarium experiences, telescope viewing, and cultural knowledge shared by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous scientists, and astronomers.  

Participants can explore hands-on activities for all ages, including star mapping, Indigenous sky stories, creative children's activities, cultural teachings, and opportunities to connect Indigenous knowledge with the land and the cosmos. The evening also features a Moonlight Market showcasing Indigenous artists and businesses.  

Admission is free for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit attendees (no ID required). General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. All ages are welcome.  

For more information and tickets, visit TELUS Spark Indigenous Science Night. 

Has Your Child Lost Something? It May Be in Our School Lost & Found! 

Our Lost & Found is overflowing with forgotten jackets, hoodies, water bottles, lunch containers, and other belongings. Since the start of September, more than 100 items have been left behind on the playground, in the lunchroom, and in the hallways.  
 
Several items are also left behind in classrooms and remain unclaimed despite staff members' efforts to help their students identify and collect them. 

We encourage students and families to stop by the Lost & Found in the main hallway near the office over the next few weeks. 

A few helpful reminders: 

• Label everything. Items with a student's first and last initial(s) can often be returned the same day. No label or marker? No problem! Even a piece of masking tape inside a jacket with your child's name written on it can make a big difference. 
• Toys and valuables should remain safely tucked inside backpacks throughout the school day. This helps prevent items from being lost or damaged and avoids an unexpected visit to our Toy Jail when toys become a distraction to learning. 
• Due to the volume of items, office and teaching staff are unable to search for specific belongings requested through phone calls or emails. 

Important: Our Lost & Found space can only hold so many items! When the collection becomes too large, unclaimed items are donated to make room for new arrivals. We encourage students to check the Lost & Found regularly, and families are welcome to stop by the school to take a look as well. Many items are reunited with their owners after just a few minutes of browsing. 

Thank you for helping lost belongings find their way home. 

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. 

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!