School District 58 and the First Nations Education Council held their annual welcome dinner on Thursday at Merritt Secondary School in celebration of their work together.

“It’s an opportunity for us to gather at the beginning of the year to look forward to another year of working together,” SD58 Principal of Aboriginal Education Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte said.

“We’re always working on building our relationships and our networking as a school district and connecting with our First Nations community,” she said.

At the welcome dinner, Oppenheim-Lacerte gave the crowd an update on the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement signed last year between First Nations and SD58 delegates.

Oppenheim-Lacerte told the Herald they wanted to inform people of the signing of this agreement which took place last year and let them know they continue to work on the goals of the agreement, which are divided into four categories: health and wellness, culture and language, self-worth and identity and academic achievement.

Oppenheim-Lacerte said although academic success is a priority for them, the other three goals are more pertinent.

“We need to take a closer look at these other areas to uplift and strengthen our students so that they are proud of who they are and can gain more balance in themselves and in their lives so that they can be academically successful,” Oppenheim-Lacerte said.

Some initiatives that work toward the enhancement agreement’s goals include the First Nations graduation, boys and girls dance groups, traditional games and the Young Warriors program.

She said they have developed programs in schools across the district but would like to have a greater focus in the classrooms as well.

Students from Central Elementary School opened the ceremony with some drumming and song for those who gathered.

SD58 Superintendent Bob Peacock said the fact those students were able to get up in front of the crowd and drum without an adult leading them is an example of the success this agreement has brought about.

Peacock said the drummers they would bring in for events in the past were all adults from around the community.

“What took place tonight with those young ladies up there drumming, it was an amazing experience to see them up there without an adult leading them so it’s a wonderful example of kids feeling comfortable with who they are and building on that culture,” Peacock said.

Peacock said there are programs that take place in the classroom, one of which involves having elders come in to classes and teach entire classes about native culture such as beading.

“It’s not only the aboriginal kids, it’s having the non-aboriginal kids have an appreciation for who aboriginal kids are. I think [that] has taken hold as well,” Peacock said.

Oppenheim-Lacerte, Board of Education Vice-Chair Richard Gage and First Nations Education Council representative Debra Manuel shared a few words to welcome everyone. Elders Joan Shackelly of the Nooaitch Band and Lotti Lindley of Upper Nicola said prayers before dinner.

District staff and teachers and representatives from the five bands surrounding Merritt, elders, the school board, the RCMP and Merritt city council also attended the event.

First Nations support workers were also acknowledged and thanked at the event for the work they do.

“It takes quality people to offer excellent programs and we have a lot of excellent programs being offered and it’s all through those people,” Peacock told the Herald, noting the knobby ball tournament and the powwow as examples of their work.