Lighting the Fire
Student Well-Being: Balancing of the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit
MFNERC is proud to present this year’s Lighting the Fire Conference on May 6-8, 2020 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg. This year’s theme is Student Well-Being: Balancing of the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit.
For students to succeed in school, community and life, it is their parents, family and community leaders who guide them as their role models. Educators, whether it be a teacher, educational assistant, or language teacher, can create profound experiences in the lives of our students. First Nations youth thrive when there is a grounded connection with their family, school, community and territory. Cultural identity is further strengthened with traditional activities whether it’s learning on the land or from the Elders in the home or classroom
The spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being of our children need to be in balance. The First Nations ways of healing and growing is a holistic approach, always considering these four relationships. Daily practices of gratitude is one of the foundations of the First Nations way of life and reclaiming and honouring our students well-being today will make for healthy nations into the 21st Century and beyond.
This year’s professional development sessions will focus on providing program models to school staff and community members to enhance student well-being. Culture and language will be woven in the four streams; emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual well-being. First Nations teachings related to balance and wellness will include activities such as storytelling, traditional practices, sports, medicine and land-based teachings which are some of touch stones that create a fuller understanding of this year’s theme.
