Latest news with #RossRiver
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
First Nation School Board works to turn the page on low literacy rates in Ross River
When nine-year-old Sterling Atkinson did his reading test this year at his school in Ross River he got 100 per cent — zero errors across all three of the books he was tested on. "He's one of the best readers in his class," said his teacher, Catalino Macaron. At the beginning of the last school year, on average primary students in Ross River could read 46 words. By June, that number had jumped to 82 words, according to numbers from the First Nation School Board. The school board says of all the schools under its stewardship, Ross River had the most improved literacy scores in the 2023-24 school year. It says it is rewriting not only how students are taught to read, but also how they engage teachers, parents and the community in the process. 'They'd been advocating for change for decades' In 2022, the First Nation School Board took over eight schools, including Ross River. Today, it's in charge of eleven schools in the territory. Executive director Melissa Flynn says like many of the schools in rural communities at the time, Ross River had struggled for years with low literacy rates. It's difficult to quantify how much things have changed under the First Nation School Board, because of how little data the Department of Education collected when it was in charge — an issue pointed out in a 2019 report from the Auditor General of Canada, who criticized the department for not collecting enough data to understand why some kids were falling behind. Flynn says she hopes gathering data will help the First Nation School Board close the gaps. That 2019 report said the percentage of First Nations students meeting or exceeding reading assessment expectations was 68 per cent, compared to 85 per cent of non-First Nations students. The report accused the Yukon government of not making changes to improve students' literacy scores, especially when it came to First Nations students. According to the report, the Department of Education did little to understand why there were gaps in student reading comprehension, and did not have a plan for improvement. Yukon still working to implement recommendations 6 years after auditor general's report on education 2 months ago Duration 2:02 A 2019 report from the auditor general of Canada found Yukon's education department was failing to meet the needs of students — in particular, First Nations, rural and special needs students. Six years later, the territorial government says it's still working to implement the auditor general's recommendations. Gabrielle Plonka reports. Flynn says that report demonstrates what she calls the "normalization of low standards" that she says left families feeling hopeless and ashamed. "If you're continuing to instruct students on how to read in exactly the same way, decade after decade, and not seeing improved skills, the blame and the shame on families increases," she said. Flynn says teachers and parents wanted a better system for their children. "They'd been advocating for change for decades," she said. Sounding out the future Under the Department of Education, students were taught to memorize words, and use clues on the page to guess what a story was about. Now, children are taught to sound out the words, the First Nation School Board said. Angela Gale is a literacy coach with the First Nation School Board. Literacy coaches spend time in the classroom with teachers providing an extra layer of support, helping teachers to transition to the new method. She says switching to the phonetic approach "took the guessing" out of learning to read. She says it's also improved kids' self-esteem, pointing to one student with behavioural issues who she says completely changed once he was able to read. Gale says the child's parent also reported changes at home. "He was happier to go to school. It wasn't a fight anymore," said Gale. Embedding cultural values empowers students Ross River primary school teacher Catalino Macaron says part of the success also comes from the First Nation School Board encouraging teachers to embed the communities' traditional cultural knowledge and values into daily learning. He says in his classroom, he invokes what he calls "the great grandfather's teachings." His students start each day sitting in a circle talking about what it means to be a good person, "so that the kids will not only be intellectually capable, but also morally responsible toward their community." He says the children do project-based learning with on-the-land activities where students spend time with elders outside. Last year, that included a three-week cultural camp, drum making, traditional arts and sewing, a hide tanning camp, handgames and orienteering. Gale says children who've had a plethora of experiences have an easier time learning. "When they're reading stories and they've got experiences, the stories are going to make more sense to them because they've got background knowledge to build on," she said. Ten out of 11 schools under the First Nation School Board are now also supported by community committees, made up of local citizens, who advocate for the teachers, parents and students and help to ensure curriculum is culturally relevant. Gwendy Colwell is the afterschool supervisor at the Hope Centre across the street from the school in Ross River. She's known many of the kids in Ross River, including Atkinson, their whole lives, and says she sees first-hand how reading allows the students to dream bigger. "It's not just academically, but their imaginations." said Colwell. "If they can pick up a book, they can go anywhere."
CBC
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Yukon teen honours her Kaska Dena culture with traditional clothing designs
In the rural community of Ross River, Yukon, one 13-year-old is connecting to her cultural roots, through making traditional Indigenous Kaska Dena clothing. Cali McTavish has more.
CBC
10-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Stitching tradition: Yukon teen honours her Kaska Dena culture with traditional clothing designs
Social Sharing At her school in Ross River, Yukon, 13-year-old Jael Johnnie sat quietly at her Singer sewing machine, hemming the edge of a bright purple fabric as the machine hums rhythmically. She was making a ribbon skirt, one of dozens of handmade items she's created in her home economics class. The teenager has found inspiration in traditional Kaska Dena clothing and designs, and she's in turn inspiring others in her community with her creations. This summer, Johnnie will host two fashion shows: one at the end of the school year, and another in Carcross in July. She's already custom-made pieces for family and friends, including a tiny embroidered vest for her younger brother. Though shy, Johnnie lights up when describing her favourite creation so far: a black and purple parka, trimmed with a fox fur collar. "It makes me feel calm," Johnnie said, describing the process of bringing each piece to life. "And happy," she added. She says her fashion journey began by watching her older sisters make pieces for their graduation. Every June, Indigenous students from across the Yukon gather at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse to celebrate graduation together, proudly dressed in traditional regalia. Inspired by her sisters Dawn and Tracy, Jael began beading and sewing — over time crafting more and more intricate pieces. Now she's created dozens of vests, backpacks, earrings and slippers. Dawn beams with pride while describing her little sister. "I think it's very inspiring. She works every day, seven days a week," Dawn said. Jael credits many community members with helping her along the way, including elder Florence Etzel who sees Johnnie's work as both beautiful and deeply meaningful. "It's a privilege to work with this young person," says Etzel. "I feel quite happy and proud of her." Etzel, who learned to make clothing for herself and her family when she was young, believes making traditional clothing is vital. "I'd like to encourage other young women to learn to sew, because it's an important part of preserving our [Kaska Dena] culture." In a community hard-hit by the toxic drug crisis, Etzel says Jael's dedication offers a glimmer of hope. "We've lost a lot of our young people," Etzel says, "but by doing this, it might make things better. I know it will make things better." For Jael, the work has brought both pride and purpose. Along with the upcoming fashion shows, one of Jael's designs will also be on display on one of this year's Truth and Reconciliation t-shirts. The shirts are sold in September in Whitehorse to mark Orange Shirt Day and honour the path toward reconciliation. Jael also hopes one day to be part of Vancouver's Indigenous Fashion Week.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thousands warned as Aussies battle 'horrendous' issue: 'Debilitating'
Thousands of residents have been warned to cover up as one Aussie city continues to battle a 'super-charged mosquito breeding season'. Hot weather and regular tidal flooding of wetland areas has created the perfect conditions for the insects to multiply in Mandurah, south of Perth, over recent weeks, with locals saying the issue has become 'horrendous'. Shocking footage published online this week by the city shows authorities walking through wetlands while repeatedly scooping water into a large white bowl — gathering what appears to be hundreds of mosquito larvae at a time. 'You can't go outside they are that bad,' one resident claimed. 'It's all day and night, never had them so bad as the last week. Nothing is working to stop them biting,' another commented, while someone else said she had been 'swarmed' by mosquitos after getting out of her car. The City of Mandurah announced on Tuesday it would be conducting its 13th mosquito treatment of the season. Over two days the Peel Mosquito Management Group (PMMG) used aerial larvicide to target the insects in the water before they emerge as adults. 'This follows on from last week's treatment, which covered more than 600 hectares throughout the Peel region,' city staff said online. Mandurah is home to the Peel-Harvey Estuary, which features abundant wildlife and migratory waterbirds, however the saline waters also provide the perfect breeding conditions for salt marsh mosquitoes. Because of this, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are the two most common mosquito-borne diseases in the region. During the 2023-24 season, there were 23 cases of Ross River and five Barmah Forest infections recorded in Mandurah, according to the PMMG. 🎣 Video captures Aussie bloke's 'insane' catch during Queensland floods 🏝️ Aussie photographer captures sad reality on tourist island 🐨 Calls for major road change after driver's 'despicable' act Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, University of Sydney associate professor Cameron Webb, explained the illness caused by the Ross River virus 'can be potentially serious and debilitating but it is not fatal'. 'Many people suffer mild illness but others can experience fever, rash, joint pain, and fatigue. In some cases, the disease can impact them for many weeks or months. 'There are more than 5,000 cases of disease reported every year from across Australia but there are likely many more people who suffer mild illness and never make the official statistics.' While Australia is generally free from globally important mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, there are some rare but very serious pathogens spread by the insect in some parts of the country. They include the potentially deadly Japanese encephalitis virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Professor Webb, who also works as a scientist for NSW Health Pathology, said. Mosquito numbers can 'change a lot during the summer, and from year to year', thanks to temperature, rainfall, humidity, and tidal activity, he added. 'There are dozens and different types of mosquitoes that cause problems in Australia. These problems often result from different environmental and climatic conditions around the country. The same type of mosquito that causes a problem in Mandurah may be present in coastal Victoria but not cause a problem there.' Aussies — and especially those living in Mandurah — have been urged to keep themselves safe by covering up with light coloured and loose-fitting clothing, as well as shoes. 'Apply insect repellent to all exposed areas of skin. Formulations you can find in your local supermarket or pharmacy are safe to use, effective at preventing bites and affordable. The best products contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus,' Webb told Yahoo. People should also reduce mosquito breeding in their own backyards by covering up or discarding anything that can trap rainfall. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
