Students to benefit from A Circle of Caring in the new school year

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY – Having a firefighter or police officer reading a book about friendship has been a positive learning experience for children from communities healing from Residential Schools.

The reading session took place during a pilot project designed by Nipissing University students Samantha Brand and Berlinda McLaren. Their project could have lasting effects. It promotes learning to read with culturally appropriate material while being introduced to emergency service providers. The experience encourages understanding and involvement in community.

Brand says the initiative is part of the Biidaaban Community Service-Learning (BCSL) Program at Nipissing University.

Brand and McLaren administered the Circle of Caring program in nine classes during a two month period.  The North Bay Police Force and North Bay Firefighters both had members volunteer in the classrooms.

Brand says the pilot project ran during May and June and focused on anti-bullying in the younger grades.

“It starts off with JK. A firefighter or police officer comes in to read a story to the children, Toof and That Blanket, a story about respect for one another.” The book that Brand and McLaren worked with was accompanied by a kit shaped and illustrated to look like a hand drum.

Brand is from Tall Cree First Nation and McLaren is a member of Long Point First Nation in Quebec.

Brand will be training volunteers to attend schools to offer the program to students. You don’t have to be a firefighter or police officer to take part. Brand intends on volunteering herself in the new school year.  She is completing a double major in History and Native Studies at Nipissing University.

The university students are using resources provided by COPA. COPA is a Francophone provincial non-profit organization that promotes kindness, caring, and the principles of equity and social inclusion.

Brand points out the materials are available to anyone who will cover shipping costs.

“From the reading of Toof and That Blanket, we ask questions to start up a good conversation about the story and then branch out to activities such as an icebreaker game that teaches how to be a good friend.

COPA guides parents and teachers on how to approach [First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI)] families because for many, school hasn’t always been about good relationships.”