Where the rivers meet
Beneath a bright blue sky, under a glaring gold sun, on growing green grass, where the rivers meet — students, educators, and community members came together on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at The Forks for the inaugural Learning with the Land: A Gathering to Celebrate and Dream.
This was no ordinary school day in the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD)—it was a living classroom and a celebration of Indigenous land-based learning and a dedication to sustainable development goals.
It would’ve been greedy to ask for more, as the day unfolded in a vibrant tapestry of learning and connection.
Approximately 780 students and staff gathered at the CN Stage at The Forks for the day of land-based learning. They were joined by a handful of community partners running the workshops alongside LRSD staff.
The day's hosts kicked off the day with energy! Southern Chiefs' Organization Youth Chief and Dakota Collegiate student Lacy Bird (centre) joined Nokomis Bineshii (right, red dress, two-feet tall), meaning Grandmother Bird in Ojibwe, and Mooshom Píyesís (left, blue jeans, also two-feet tall), meaning Grandfather Bird in Cree.
Rose and Veronique were kind enough to give Nokomis and Mooshom helping hands throughout the day.
From the Louis Riel School Division's Indigenous Council of Grandmothers and Grandfathers, Chickadee Richard (Benais Quimiwin Ikwe) Thunder Rain Woman graced students with opening words of wisdom.
Where learning met the land
Throughout the day, students rotated through a wide range of hands-on workshops that explored themes of cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and global citizenship. From soapstone carving and beadwork to storytelling, language revitalization, and SDG-focused games, each session offered students a chance to engage deeply with the land, reflect on sustainability, and learn from diverse knowledge systems. Activities like “Journey of a Seed,” “Bioaccumulation Dice,” and “Reducing Food Waste” helped connect local actions to global goals in creative and meaningful ways.
These students created artwork based on the Learning with the Land logo, that provided other students an opportunity to express values important to them...
Love and respect are important, and these students know it.
The event featured multiple beadwork stations where students could learn about the craft.
This LRSD teacher-librarian hosted Literature with the Land and discussed the importance of literature and representation.
Students learn a few shocking facts about food waste and how to do their part to reduce it.
Beadwork bracelets...
These students enjoy the beautiful day while learning lots about composting!
Teachers and students alike learned about the fascinating Journey of a Seed, and how these tiny miracles sprout into the foundations of life on Earth.
Students learned new words at three different workshops for Anishinaabemowin, Cree, and Michif.
Workshops spread all across The Forks land.
There were many opportunities to learn, but it wasn't a passive learning. Students got their hands dirty, joined in activities, and even had plentiful chances to sign up to do and learn more after the day was done.
The day was full of learning games.
And the importance of involving the whole school community in "learning and teaching about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with an emphasis on Indigenous worldviews and land-based education" (Strategic Action 4.5) was never lost from view.
But just because you're learning about such important topics doesn't mean you can't have a blast while doing it.
And have a blast, we did.
When the sun was highest
Around noon, students and staff took a break to eat lunch and were treated to wonderful performances from LRSD students.
All the rest
After lunch, students had the chance to explore The Forks in small groups, revisiting favorite stations and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the day. Many made their way to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to experience the Upstander Showcase, where powerful student-created exhibits from LRSD highlighted injustice and the opportunity to create change.
As the event came to a close, we were reminded that none of this would have been possible without the dedication and spirit of our entire community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the students, staff, volunteers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners—each of you played an invaluable role in making Learning with the Land a day to remember.