Good Evening Parents, Caregivers, Students and Guardians,

We were deeply honoured to welcome Elder Wanda First Rider to our school yesterday for a very special visit and blessing. Elder First Rider is a woman known for her lifelong dedication to advocating for Indigenous students, and she is the well-deserved recipient of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s 2024 Public Education Award.

Elder Wanda First Rider, representing Treaty 7 from the Blackfoot Confederacy, earned this award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Indigenous education and her efforts to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. A residential school Survivor, Elder First Rider has lived in Moh’kinstsis (Calgary) for over 50 years and has been deeply involved in the community, working with organizations such as the Friendship Centre and the Calgary Police Service and serving on numerous boards. She is a strong supporter of Indigenous students and helping teachers learn about Indigenous practices.

During her visit to Central Memorial High School, Elder First Rider worked with our Environment and Energy Innovations and Social Studies students, sharing her wisdom and her story as a third-generation residential school survivor. She spoke about the importance of being able to raise your own children and passed on valuable teachings about Indigenous traditions and practices. Our students were privileged to learn about the sacred ceremony of smudging, which involves burning natural elements like sage, cedar, sweet grass, and tobacco to promote spiritual well-being and connection. Elder First Rider explained the significance of each element and the importance of treating them with respect.

Elder First Rider also shared teachings about the power of circles and the unity and strength that come from proper alignment. We are especially excited about the opportunity our students now have to plant and nurture our own tobacco plants for ceremonial purposes. In many Indigenous cultures, tobacco holds immense spiritual, cultural, and medicinal significance, often used in ceremonies, prayers, and as a gift.

We are grateful for the chance to foster a deeper understanding and respect for these important traditions.

At Central Memorial High School, we remain committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. We strive to learn about and through Indigenous knowledge's, to build student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect, and to renew and strengthen respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Thank you for your continued support in creating a community of learning, respect, and reconciliation.

Sincerely,

Anne Kromm

Principal

Important Dates

  • Saturday March 15 & Sunday March 16 - GRADitude Project at St. Michael School
  • Wednesday March 19 - Career Fair at Notre Dame High School 6:00 - 8:30
  • Thurs March 20 (5:00 -7:30) & Fri March 21 (9:00-1:00) - Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Thursday March 20 - Last Day of Classes Before Spring Break
  • Friday March 21 - Candid Yearbook Photos Due
  • Fri Mar 21, Sat Mar 22 & Fri Mar 28 - Young Women In Trades & Technology Camp
  • Monday March 31 - Classes Resume
  • Monday March 31 - School Engagement Survey due
  • Tuesday April 8 - School Council Meeting - Learning Commons/Hub 6:30
  • Yearbook Purchase Deadline - BEFORE Sunday April 27, 2025
  • Friday April 18 - Good Friday - No School
  • Travel Safe Student Video Contest - Due by April 30
  • Wednesday May 14 - Student Police Academy (applications due Mon Apr 21)
  • Closes Saturday May 31 - Scholarship Applications

CMHS Sports

No GAMES next week - stay tuned!

Future School Events

  • Friday March 14 & Saturday March 15 - Vocal Jazz CADME Festival
  • Monday March 17 - Thursday March 20 - Dance Central Performances 7:00
  • Thursday March 20 (5-7:30) & Friday March 21 (8:30-1) - Parent Teacher Interviews
  • Wednesday April 2 - Get It Done Day
  • Thursday April 3 - Sports Photos
  • Friday April 4 - Friday April 18 - Music Strings International Trip
  • Sunday April 13 - Wednesday April 16 - Vocal Festival Edmonton