Tennyson students attend unveiling of new reconciliation pole and welcoming poles on National Indigenous Peoples Day

 On Friday, Indigenous Peoples' Day, a 13 meter reconciliation pole along with two welcome poles were unveiled outside the VSB’s main headquarters and Tennyson students were there for the historic event.

The Vancouver School Boards Legacy Carving Project was proposed by Anishinaabe educator Davita Marsden and VSB vice-president Chas Desjarlais Nohiyah, who is Métis and a member of the Cold Lake First Nations. Desjarlais sees the reconciliation pole as medicine for “our children” in learning Indigenous cultures and the poles as a physical display of the VSB’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,

Throughout the year many Tennyson divisions have had the  privilege of visiting  the VSB to learn from, and watch, James Harry of the Squamish nation and his father Xwalacktun, a master carver,    as they  worked  on the reconciliation pole. And, on Friday the students witnessed the unveiling ceremony and listened to cultural teachings of Indigenous drummers and singers. It was an incredibly important and moving ceremony.

Vancouver school board unveils three welcome poles at headquarters, The Vancouver Sun

Vancouver school board unveils new reconciliation pole and welcoming poles on National Indigenous Peoples Day, The Georgia Straight