Beaconsfield students are getting a crash course in Aboriginal culture as part of the school's Aboriginal Education Awareness Days. Over the course of two and a half days in late May, Beaconsfield students had the opportunity to practice their dancing (and endurance) skills as pow-wow dancers, listen to some traditional storytelling by Aboriginal storyteller Henry Charles and do some drumming and singing with Beaconsfield Aboriginal Support Worker Jennifer Sherif.

The whole event was coordinated by Sherif and teacher librarian and Grade 3-4 teacher Kelly Quinlan. Quinlan says she organized the Aboriginal Education Awareness Days because she believes it is important for every school to celebrate and acknowledge their First Nations culture.

For Grade 3 student Alberta Crysler, the Awareness Days were a big success. A highlight for her was the storytelling, particular the tale of how the turtle's shell is cracked.

"I am really thankful that people like Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Quinlan are here to teach us about Aboriginal culture," says Crysler.

Quinlan says that a big thank you needs to go to the Beaconsfield staff for being willing to work their classroom scheduling around the various activities as well as to her school's PAC for its generous financial support, which helped Quinlan and Sherif bring in Aboriginal specialists from outside the school.