News Item

February 14, 2011

News item – Koksilah students dance and learn at Elders’ Lunch

Eighteen Koksilah students were offered much more than a meal when they danced recently at an Elders’ Lunch on Cowichan reserve lands – they were given advice and shared in some traditional teachings.

After the students danced and sang under the direction of Lawrence Joe, Rob George, Julie George and Barb Marchi, the Elders asked the performers to introduce themselves and – if they had one - to include their traditional name.   

“The Elders were very appreciative of the students’ performance and took a good deal of time to talk to them and to share some traditional teachings and advice,” said Koksilah principal Kristi Clifton.

The advice was enriching, time-honoured and practical. “Hold on to your culture tightly with one hand and reach out and grab as much school education as you can with the other,” counseled one distinguished speaker.

Students were also treated to lunch after the performance, said principal Clifton.

“Everyone enjoyed their time with the Elders and felt quite inspired to keep learning,” she added.