Mapping Activity

Think:

There are many places and enjoyments within my mapping project. These include the places I have lived in order, my hobbies and interests, the most important articles and items within my life currently, my favorite implements to my lifestyle, and what I hope my future has in store for me. Each symbol has a story that takes place within my map. The dog head is an outline of my canine bestie, Scarlett. I adopted/rescued her a week before I graduated grade twelve and she has not left my side since. The cookie, rolling pin, and whisk represent my love for baking. Whenever I had a bad day at school (when I was younger) or I did not feel in control of the world around me, I would always bake chocolate chip cookies. Since then I have learned how to make sugar cookies and professionally decorate them with royal icing while learning to create other baked delights such as pumpkin cheesecake roll, churro cheesecake, Reese bars, and confetti cookie sandwiches. Each symbol tells a story, which makes each strand unique. 

Imagine:

Beginning with Treaty Education my map includes Treaty territory 6 (Choiceland and Tisdale) and Treaty territory 4 (Regina), while Choiceland is located 74 kilometers from James Smith Cree Nation and Tisdale is located 46 kilometers from Kinistin Saulteaux Nation. Both of these First Nations reserves are home to peoples who speak the Cree language. 

Next, we will focus on Science. Choiceland and Tisdale alike are both located within the Boreal Plain Ecozone, whilst Regina is located within the Prarie Ecozone. The Boreal Ecozone differs from the Prarie Ecozone as it houses thick layers of soil, poor nutrients, vast forest, and a cool climate. This ecozone is also home to black bears, wolves, lynx, moose, caribou, and white-tail deer (all of which have lived in the forest on our acreage for the entirety of my life so far). Rather, the Plain Ecozone has grand economical resources such as coal, potash, and aggregates while lacking in natural vegetation. For animals, this ecozone is the home to cranes, bison, loons, and bluebirds (much more peaceful I would say). 

Lastly, we will focus on English Language Arts for this section. When I was a wee lassie I loved to play outside and allow for my imagination to run wild. I had everything I needed, always. Where you would see a tree, I would see a castle. Where you would see a crooked trail in the trees, I would see an adventure. Where you would see a trampoline, I would see the ability to fly. One day in the fall me and my best sidekick (my pup Molly) decided to explore a whole new trail in the woods on our acreage. We owned acres of land, so as a twelve-year-old this was my oasis. After deciding to go off of the beaten path Molly and I came across the skull of a cow. Never had we owned cows on this land, so I knew it had to be placed there. Once I found it I knew that it was a treasure, so every day Molly and I would go back to the cow skull, enjoying every step it took us to get there. Upon asking my father about the skull we came to the conclusion that coyotes must have drug it there finding no use left for it as the flesh had either decomposed or been eaten. Even to this day, the cow skull resides in the exact same place in the forest. Now that Molly has passed away I know that she will always remember our adventures and remember our tiny piece of treasure. Where you would see a cow skull, Molly and I see treasure. 

Reflect:

For the reflection portion of this assignment, I will be focusing on where I am currently residing, Regina. There are many pieces of Indigenous artworks displayed within the city of Regina. These pieces can be found at the following locations: Sâkêwêwak First Nations Artist Collective Inc, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, and the Traditions Hand Craft Gallery. Over just the month of September alone Regina is hosting many events to represent and host the voices of Indigenous peoples in our community. Some of these events include the Regina Public Library Films The Foreigners Home which is an exhibit based on Indigenous Stories and communities, as well as an Indigenous Students Networking event that allows for developing community and employment opportunities to Indigenous peoples within and around the city. The city of Regina is also taking part in the national day of Truth and Reconciliation. From a place of privilege, I can see how this may be an issue as well, as we should not need to create special events to recognize Indigenous peoples but rather put in the effort that makes them seen, heard, understood, and allows for opportunities every single day. Not just on special event days or exhibits being hosted. We are making a change, yes. However, not enough change has been created yet. As a community, we are making change, but as individuals, we need to make sure and allow ourselves time to attend these events and immerse ourselves in understanding Indigenous culture and ways of knowing. 

Honour: 

The learners within Regina are very diverse, not only in culture but in age and beliefs as well. Humans begin learning as soon as they are born, to eat and drink, to walking and talking, to writing and reading, to math and science, to responsibility and nurturing, and so on. This includes Regina as a community of learners as well. Regina is also home to Aboriginals (First Nation, Metis), Asian (South, SouthEast, East, West), Black, Arab, White, and Latin. Regina is also the fastest growing city within Canada on the diversity scale. Regina, as well as much of Saskatchewan, is very heavily influenced by Germany, Russia, Ukraine, France, Ireland, Scotland, as well as Indigenous cultures. Making the learners, very much so, diverse. There are many opportunities for learners (of any age) in Regina, Including employment, multi-level schooling, sports, art, support, and aid (health, wealth, homing). When it comes to barriers there may be language barriers between students and teachers or even students and other students. There can also be religious barriers as well as belief system differences. Through learning and growing as an education system there are proper steps in place within each school division on how to be the best school and place for students to be at all times no matter what difference any student may have.