Mikisew School Fundraiser HCI & DSS

Help Cross Lake and Toronto teens build relationships and support Mikisew students in Cross Lake. This year we are asking for your support to purchase: 
- sports equipment (Cross Country Ski sets) 
- books and resource materials
- travel expenses between Toronto & Cross Lake for students. 

NOTE: This campaing was set up originally to purchase a 3D printer and resources for Mikisew School in Cross Lake (which we did). Instead of starting a new campaign we have just continued from the old one so much of the money was spent previously.


After Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Cross Lake, Manitoba declared a state of emergency due to a rash of teen suicides, we ask he principal and staff of Mikisew School how we could help? We are a group of educators and students in Toronto, ON who are asking for your help raising funds to support Mikisew School.

Our schools have been featured in the news. During Orange Shirt Day in Toronto students were interviewed while raising awareness about Residential School Survivors and fundraising for Cross Lake! See our Orange Shirt Day event and media coverage here: 

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/09/30/video-toronto-students-acknowledge-painful-legacy-of-residential-schools/

http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=963535
 
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.3096360

How this came to be: 
"The numbers are as heartbreaking as they are staggering: six youth suicides in the past three months; 140 people attempting or threatening to kill themselves in a recent two-week period; more than 100 kids on suicide watch." The Globe, March 17, 2016

We met with the principal of the high school in Cross Lake to hear their story and ask what we could do to help the students? We brainstormed some ideas that would engage the youth of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Cross Lake and give them something new and exciting to try. One idea was to fundraising for a 3D printer.


The 3D printer is unique and innovative and it might help create positive change. Students can create just about anything they need or want. They can create a variety of objects and place 3D text on items, making them unique. Students can write their name, or anything on projects, including writing in Cree. And they can apply the skills it takes to create 3D models to a number of industry skill sets, and see tangible results quickly in class.

Technology can bring us together and offer the Pimicikamak Cree Nation teens of Cross Lake something new and exciting to do while learning a valuable skill set.

We will also introduce Positive Peer Culture (PPC) and run training for staff and students. In this unique program, students talk with their peers about their lives in a safe environment. Students learn communication skills and exercise these in real time, in response to real issues. The power in PPC is in the space it provides for students to find their voices, to listen and reflect on the stories of their lives. We will provide Mikisew School with the resources to run this remarkable program on a continuous basis.

This has become an on going initiative that started with a week long trip in 2016. We then hope to continue to grow the program using technology to connect the students in the remote north to those in a huge city. Everyone has a story and everyone deserves the chance to learn and explore with one another! 

We would be very thankful for anything you can contribute. 

We are establishing a relationship with the students of Mikisew School (formally Otter Nelson River School), and Toronto schools - Humberside C.I. and Downsview S.S. We are fostering relationships through distance learning, using technology to keep us connected as global citizens.

www.onewlearning.blogspot.ca

If you would like more information here are some articles that have been witten about the crisis in Cross Lake: 
Globe and Mail
Toronto Star
CBC
CNN
New York Times
Global Research