The Indigenous Student Forum on Friday, May 8, 2026, brought together approximately 120 self-identified Indigenous students in Grades 7 to 12 from 14 Bluewater District School Board schools for interactive workshops and outdoor land-based learning.
Offered once again at the 320-acre Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre with its unique facilities and natural surroundings, students had an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning, including crafts, fire building, porcupine harvest beading, button-making, and an outdoor hike. Students were also heavily engaged as they boiled cedar needles for tea, worked on ribbon skirts, and even made earrings.
Once again, hearing and learning from the student voice was an important part of the day as feedback and ideas were gathered to support board staff in future planning and programming for Indigenous students.
Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and facility hosts who worked together to offer an enriching and rewarding day for students to connect with peers and deepen their learning.