Here we go!

What is this blog all about? Well, we wanted to have a place to update so many of you - the students, friends, staff and other who have heard about what we are doing. It so great to hear so many people ask how can I help? While some have helped by doing, others have been in the background lending support, and offering advice. Thank you all!

Here's the background:
Monica and Judi will also introduce Positive Peer Culture (PPC) and run training for staff and students. In this unique program, students talk with their peers about their lives in a safe environment. Students learn communication skills and exercise these in real time, in response to real issues. The power in PPC is in the space it provides for students to find their voices, to listen and reflect on the stories of their lives. We will provide the school with the resources to run this remarkable program on a continuous basis.
After Pimicikamak Cree Nation - Cross Lake, Manitoba declared a state of emergency due to a rash of teen suicides, we decided to do something. Judi, Monica and Lisa are educators in Toronto, ON who are asking for your help to support the high school students in Northern Manitoba at Mikisew High School (formerly, Otter Nelson River School).
We met with Gordon Hum, the Principal of Otter Nelson River School in March 2016, to hear his story and ask what we could do to help his students? We brainstormed some ideas that would engage the youth of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Cross Lake. One idea was to get a 3-D printer for the school.
The 3-D printer is unique and innovative and it can help create positive change. Students can create just about anything they need or want. They can create a variety of objects and place 3-D text on items, making them unique. Students can write their name, or anything on projects, including writing in Cree. They can apply the skills it takes to create 3-D models to a number of industry skill sets, and see tangible results quickly in class.
Technology can bring us together and offer students something new and exciting to do while learning a valuable skill set. Ideally, Lisa would love to have her students from Downsview S.S. working with the students of Cross Lake - Pimicikamak Cree Nation using technology to share ideas and learning via Google Hangouts/video conference, Blogging and Google classrooms.
We hope this will be an on going initiative that starts with a week long trip and training sessions. This trip can  be the first step in establishing a relationship with the students of Pimicikamak Cree Nation that can be fostered through distance learning; using technology to keep us connected as global citizens. We can see this experience also spreading to other schools throughout Canada in the North and South.