News Detail
English 11
Fred Roland visits!
The fire flickered in the Pavilion fireplace; the smell of cedar and sage welcomed the students to the circle, and the tones of a beautiful wooden flute brought a period of quiet reflection. Yesterday, English 11 students were honoured to have Fred Roland come and speak with them. Fred is a wise teacher from the Coast Salish Nations, one of the Hul'qumi'num people in the Cowichan Valley. His visit was an experiential learning opportunity to support the students' reading of Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden.
The novel traces the lives of two Cree men who join the Canadian troops in the First World War, but only one returns. The returning man is damaged in spirit and body and is nursed back to health by his aunt, who heals him with stories of his family and ancestors. Each English 11 class was asked to focus on listening and to reflect on their families, ancestors, and connections to the past. Fred also spoke about the relationships that we can have to our natural surroundings, which can help us to connect to our own source of strength and resilience.
Fred Roland has had many years of experience working with youth all over the world, teaching about ancient pathways and tribal journeys. Understanding our own past helps us to connect to others, whether in life or in literature. We can appreciate the voices of the characters if we stop to reflect on how their characters were formed, and how our characters are also formed by our families, ancestors and collective past. This was a rich experience in many ways, and one that will linger with all who participated.
- Jenny Ferris
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The novel traces the lives of two Cree men who join the Canadian troops in the First World War, but only one returns. The returning man is damaged in spirit and body and is nursed back to health by his aunt, who heals him with stories of his family and ancestors. Each English 11 class was asked to focus on listening and to reflect on their families, ancestors, and connections to the past. Fred also spoke about the relationships that we can have to our natural surroundings, which can help us to connect to our own source of strength and resilience.
Fred Roland has had many years of experience working with youth all over the world, teaching about ancient pathways and tribal journeys. Understanding our own past helps us to connect to others, whether in life or in literature. We can appreciate the voices of the characters if we stop to reflect on how their characters were formed, and how our characters are also formed by our families, ancestors and collective past. This was a rich experience in many ways, and one that will linger with all who participated.
- Jenny Ferris
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
