You are using a browser that is not standards-compliant (possibly Netscape 4). The information on this Web site will be accessible to you, but for a list of Web browsers that comply with the World Wide Web Consortium standards, please visit our Web standards page.

SCHOOL BASED PROJECTS

ABORIGINAL TRANSITION CONFERENCE

ABORIGINAL GRADE 8 TRANSITION CONFERENCE

Four Grade 8 Aboriginal Transition Conferences have been held since 2007 – one in the fall term, the other in the spring. The Aboriginal Transition Conference is an opportunity for grade eights to build relationships with aboriginal students from other schools, as well as for elementary schools to build relationships with the secondary schools in their communities, in the hopes to foster a positive transition for grade eight aboriginal students into secondary school.
Specific conference themes stressed preparing for secondary school, engagement in extracurricular activities, building confidence and cultural pride, and making positive choices.
Each conference has included a strong cultural component, inviting Elders and guest speakers from the Aboriginal community to lead smudging, song, and ceremonial prayer practices, demonstrate dancing, and share Aboriginal artwork, as well as to educate the group on student success from a traditional perspective.

Approximately 75 Grade 8 Aboriginal students attend each conference. In addition, TVDSB secondary school students enrolled in the Aboriginal Stacked Course and students participating in the Fourth R Peer Mentor Program for Aboriginal Youth volunteered to share their high school experiences with younger students during breakout sessions at both conferences. First Nations counsellors, First Nations course educators, student success teachers, and school administration are invited to attend the conferences.

Feedback from both educators and from students has been very positive about these conferences.

Grade 8 students who attended the Grade 8 Aboriginal Transition Conference commented on what the conference taught them:

“To not drop out of school, do homework, and get involved.” (Male, age 14)

“That I can find good friends that will motivate and help me.” (Female, age 14)

“To not go down the wrong path.” (Female, age 14)

“Not to be afraid of high school.” (Male, age 13)

“To find support in the school.” (Female, age 14)

“It made me more confident to learn new things, making new friends and going places in my life.” (Female, age 13)

aboriginal transition conference

ABORIGINAL TRANSITION CONFERENCES TO DATE

May 2009	The Spring 2009 conference focused on positivity and looking to the future. Two guest speakers were featured: Myeengun Henry, who invited students to participate in smudging, song and prayer; and Bill Hill, a community based social worker, who discussed honoring one’s self as a young adult and how this relates to the transition to high school. The afternoon sessions focused on providing students with an opportunity to express their concerns and fears about secondary school, and to have these concerns and fears addressed by role models from the community.
November 2008	The Fall 2008 conference focused on aboriginal culture and goal setting. The conference provided students with information and resources to help them achieve their goals. It aimed to ease students’ fears about high school by introducing them to older students, First Nations counsellors, courses (with a specific focus on Native Studies), and extracurricular activities they could join. Aaron Bell an Ojibway story teller told the students stories of aboriginal culture that emphasized moral responsibility, self-confidence, and friendship. Aaron also involved the students in a bead making workshop which encouraged the students to work together and be patient. Elder Darren Thomas (Coordinator of Community Service-Learning from Six Nations, New Orators Project) spoke to the students about how to set goals and how to deal with peer pressures. During breakout sessions, grade 8 students had an opportunity to talk to high school students and educators about specific opportunities to get involved in school in grade 9 and opportunities available for post-secondary education.
May 2008	This conference educated students on making positive choices in high school. Elders and adult role-models from the community including North American Indigenous Games athletes and an Aboriginal Police Service Constable facilitated discussions on goal-setting, confidence-building, and peer pressures with students. Grade 8 students had an opportunity to engage in cultural practices such as smudging, song, and prayer, and participated in Native dance. In addition, students viewed a video produced by high school students portraying a day in the life of a grade 9 student at their school.
December 2007	This conference focused on dreams and provided students with information and resources to help them achieve their goals. It aimed to ease students’ fears about high school by familiarizing them with older students, First Nations counsellors, Native studies courses, and extracurricular activities. Guest speakers helped students create a plan for achieving their dreams and high school students led a dream catcher art project. During breakout sessions, grade 8 students had an opportunity to talk to high school students and educators about specific opportunities to get involved at school in grade 9.
May 2007	This conference aimed to teach students about inner-strength. Guest presenters taught grade 8 students ways to handle pressures they might encounter in high school. Also, students had an opportunity to pose questions about grade 9 to a panel consisting of high school students, school counsellors, and adult role-models from the community.

ABORIGINAL GRADE 8 TRANSITION CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP

As a follow-up to the December conference, two resource packages were created and supplied to Grade 8 students and their educators. The resource guide for students listed school and community contact details and summarized opportunities available in high school. The resource guide for educators provided similar information, however it was tailored to help educators facilitate future discussion about Grade 9 with their students. In addition, a Youth Liaison Coordinator visited elementary schools that sent Grade 8 students to the transition conference in December to conduct further follow-up activities. The purpose of these visits was to help students revisit topics discussed at the conference and to gain feedback regarding ideas for future conferences. Follow-up session participants ranged from small groups of Aboriginal students to entire Grade 8 classes (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students). A Transition Conference for Grade 8 Aboriginal Youth Organization Manual was created to guide the design of similar conferences and follow-up activities by other schools.

Conference Follow-Up:
Participating in Ice Breaker games