Session 6 - Friday

F: How Money Works

Presenter: Michelle Eagle Tail Feathers

The presentation teaches niitsitapiksi an understanding on how money works by teaching them the magic of compound interest, pension plans, the impact on 9+% on RRSP/TFSA's, how to get the same coverage of life and/or mortgage insurance but pay 30-70% less, than take the difference and invest it. The presentation also touches on how niitsitapiksi can pay off debts 4-5 years sooner, with no new money from their pockets, get more back on their taxes, and how the average person can become financially independent and debt free. The knowledge of "How Money Works" can be passed down from generation to generation.

Session 6, Theatre

K: Honouring Culture, Strengthening Connection: Networking Family School Liaison Counselors in Indigenous Education

Presenters: Cara Blackwater, Shane Wells

Family School Liaison Counselors (FSLCs) serve as a vital bridge between home, school, and community—especially within our respective Indigenous communities, where relationships, cultural understanding, and trust are foundational. This session invites FSLCs (School Counselors, Wellness Programs) to come together in a space grounded in respect, reciprocity, and shared learning. This session aims to bring together FSLCs from diverse educational settings to build a professional learning network focused on best practices, foster inclusivity, innovation, and mutual support. Participants will engage in structured networking, share successful initiatives and common challenges, and co-create strategies to enhance family engagement, mental health supports, and community partnerships. By fostering collaboration within the Blackfoot Confederacy education districts , this session seeks to strengthen the collective capacity of FSLCs to meet the complex needs of our students and families. Attendees will leave with new connections, practical tools, and a shared vision for elevating the impact of family-school partnerships.

Session 6, McKnight West

O: Post-Secondary Funding

Presenter: Patricia Bruised Head

As the late Honorable Murray Sinclair once said, “Education is what got us into this mess, and education will get us out.” These words resonate deeply with my own journey through post-secondary education and my role as Programs Service Manager for Post-Secondary Funding at Red Crow Community College. Navigating the pathway to post-secondary education can be daunting whether you’re a recent high school graduate or someone returning to school later in life. The process is often filled with uncertainty, fear, and questions. But it doesn’t have to be. My goal is to help reveal this journey and empower individuals to take that first step with confidence. Understanding the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of post-secondary education is essential. Who do you talk to? What questions should you ask? Where do you go for support? Why is this path right for you? How do you apply for funding? These are just a few of the critical questions that can shape a successful educational experience. This session will guide attendees through identifying the right program, accessing funding opportunities, and knowing when and how to ask for help. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or supporting someone else, this is the place to begin your journey. Together, we can build a pathway that leads not only to academic success but to personal growth and community empowerment.

Session 6, Macleod Room

P: A Financial Literacy Journey

Presenter: James McTavish

My presentation on taking your first steps on your financial and investment journey will walk through the newly developed investor education program created in partnership between the Siksika Board of Education and the Alberta Securities Commission. Available for grades 9-12, the program introduces students to the foundational concepts of financial literacy and investing, framing money as a tool to achieve their personal goals, including supporting their family, starting a business and giving back to their community.  With this year's conference theme of Cultural resilience and Innovation: Bridging tradition and modernity, this presentation explores how students can take the Seventh Generation Principle and apply it to their decisions as they graduate high school. From developing positive future-focused thinking and goals through to creating opportunities to foster intergenerational well-being, participants will learn how this program can create positive and lasting impacts for students as they transition to adulthood and become leaders in their communities.

Session 6, Horizon

Q: Moving with Stories: Drama as a Pathway to Cultural Understanding

Presenter: Janine Owl Child

I strive to provide a unique opportunity to educate through hands-on experience, utilizing the creative arts and making connections to Siksika’s understandings. I design my workshops to inspire interest and motivation through art, music, movement, film, and drama. The Theatre arts help build and provide a safe, constructive outlet and supportive environment where participants can explore and develop new knowledge through imagination and creative expression. This "Moving With Stories" workshop equips educators with creative strategies for using the arts to engage students while fostering emotional, cognitive, and cultural growth. Participants will explore how storytelling and drama can function as powerful tools for enhancing literacy, sparking creativity, and building deeper connections in the classroom. A key feature of the session is the use of embodied theatre, an interactive approach where participants physically engage with stories through movement and dramatic expression. By “stepping into” stories, educators experience firsthand how students can develop empathy, imagination, and cultural awareness. This participatory method reflects oral traditions and emphasizes learning that is felt, remembered, and shared across generations. Aligned with the conference themes of “Honouring Our Heritage” and “Intergenerational Learning,” this workshop demonstrates how teaching through theatre strengthens cultural ways of knowing. Educators will leave with adaptable strategies for integrating embodied storytelling into their practice, ensuring that the arts continue to play a vital role in celebrating culture and enriching learning.

Session 6, Barlow

T: Engaging Students in Learning Activities to Secure Life Long Skills

Presenters: Kathy Breaker, Mel Czismadia, Trevor Unrau

Using skills from Home Economics, Building Construction and Design Studies, these teachers worked with students to do a complete renovation to Siksika Nation High School’s Home Economics lab, bringing the lab from the 1990's to 2025!  While many students were involved a small  group of students found this project enjoyable and caused them to attend school consistently.  These were students who had challenges with; attendance, hallway walking, chronic skipping, low motivation, etc..  Some of the students gained new insights on their self esteem, how to gain extra credits, some earned bursaries and even summer employment.

Session 6, McKnight East

V: Singing is Medicine

Presenters: Alex Scalplock, Melodie Hunt, Josh Cardinal, Sean Cardinal, Calvin Koether

Chief Old Sun School and the SBE are proud to share the art of Powwow singing with our students and our community. Join educators Alex Scalplock, Melodie Hunt, Josh Cardinal, Sean Cardinal, and Calvin Koether, in showcasing some of the incredible cultural programs Natosapi School and the Siksika Board of Education have to offer. We hope that this session will inspire other schools to create their own programs, give some guidance in how such programs can be implemented, and give an opportunity to move, sing, and connect with the art of Powwow.

Session 6, Canadian