Congratulations to our 2020 Nala’atsi graduates! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments, and we wish you the very best in your future endeavours. A message from David: “Madison (Adi) Watson, Kaleb Andrew, & Daedra O’Malley!! A huge congratulations to these beautiful young warriors. Our Nala’atsi Graduates of 2020. I must say, my eyes teared up watching their graduation video. I love and cherish all the moments we got to share together this past year. I know I am exactly where I am meant to be on my path. They have put a sparkle in my eye. For that I am grateful. ‘The bad news is, there is no key to the universe. The good news is, it was never locked.’ Give yourself everything you deserve in life. You are worth it. You are strong. You are resilient. You are beautiful in your own way. We will always be family!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️  Love always, Gamutalagalis”

This week Nala’atsi students & staff participated in a really enjoyable day of cedar weaving, feasting, and cultural teachings with Avis O’Brien and a number of our favourite elders. It was a really powerful day of learning and sharing with a group spanning several generations. We’d like to thank Avis, the elders who joined us for the day, and First Nations Health Authority for their generous support in making this happen!

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Congratulations to Nala’atsi student Daedra O’Malley, who was selected as the Rotary Club ‘Student of the Month’ for February 2020! Daedra is being recognized for dramatically improved attendance, the exceptional work that she has submitted this year (specifically for English First Peoples 12), her thoughtful and intelligent contributions to group discussion, and her participation in several extra-curricular activities including the Youth Climate Action Conference, North Island Writers Conference, and weekly Qmunity gatherings at Wachiay Friendship Center. Well done Daedra!

We’ve been keeping busy at Nala’atsi, with lots of hands-on learning over the last two weeks! In late November several Nala’atsi students participated in a lovely cedar weaving workshop with Avis O’Brien in Campbell River. (Thank you Avis!) In early December students learned fish preparation with Nala’atsi favourite, Lelaina Jules, and later helped smoke the fish. Delicious. On top of that, students have been participating in a variety of arts & crafts activities with Heather and the rest of the Nala’atsi staff. Sounds like some good gifts might come out of this, probably a good idea to be nice to us 🙂

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Like most things at Nala’atsi, our PE program is unconventional and awesome. Throughout the year our students participate in a large variety of physical activities – from  laser tag in the forest to canoeing, snowshoeing to ice skating, archery to rock climbing, and much more. Our students are exposed to a variety of physical activities in the hopes that they find something they love and start to develop a lifelong commitment to physical health. Some of our PE activities this fall have included: badminton, outdoor laser tag in Campbell River, scenic walks in Courtenay, games at the Lewis Center gym, and a hilariously entertaining afternoon at Saratoga Driving Range.  

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The Nala’atsi Lahal Team had its first practice this Thursday, under the capable guidance of David Dawson & Lelaina Jules. Lots of smiles and lots of laughter, but don’t let that distract you – this year we will be a force to be reckoned with! There is talk of inter-district Lahal games, maybe even tournaments. Stay tuned!

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Nala’atsi year-end field trip to Vancouver! Ferry rides, Science World, Aqua Bus, pirate ships, Granville Island, Theatre Sports Improv Night, counting Teslas (Clayton counted 61), and a fantastic tour of the Museum of Anthropology. An excellent finale to what has been a really great year at Nala’atsi!

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Over the course of two days the incredible Lelaina Jules guided a number of Nala’atsi students through the process of smoking salmon. Our students filleted and brined the fish on Monday, and then prepared the smoker and helped keep the fire going at the right temperature throughout the day on Tuesday. The smoked salmon turned out brilliantly (although it wasn’t finished until after school had ended so Rory had to sample it all by himself). Thank you Lelaina!

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So proud of our Nala’atsi students who were recognized at the Indigenous Education Recognition Ceremony this Wednesday. Congratulations Clayton Akoluk, Mino Lynxleg, and Hannah-Lynn Watson!

Yesterday the Nala’atsi crew headed over to Hornby Island for an action-packed day at Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre. Alex, our fearless leader, guided us through a kayaking trip along the tranquil & stunning Tribune Bay. Afterwards, many of our students summoned the courage to scale the high ropes course, while the rest of us looked on in horror. Heart palpitations aside, we’re really impressed by our students’ ability to push through their fears & their willingness to try new things. Thank you Tribune Bay for a fantastic day! 

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