An eight-year-old St. Albert girl was one of twelve students in Alberta recognized for embracing their Indigenous cultural identity and modelling leadership through a cultural lens.
Chloe Verhaeghe, a Grade 2 student at Neil M. Ross Catholic Elementary School, received the Honouring Spirit Award at the Indigenous Student Awards on May 12. The awards ceremony was hosted by Lt. Gov. Lois E. Mitchell at the Government House in Edmonton.
The Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) gives the Honouring Spirit Award to outstanding students each year, but ASBA president Mary Martin said this year the newly implemented Indigenous Advisory Circle – a first for school boards in Canada – had "a profound impact on how this award is handed out."
Martin said it's important to have access to the knowledge of elders, who helped shape the parameters regarding the nomination process for the award. Students were recognized for qualities such as perseverance in reaching their dreams, respect for the autonomy of others, improvement in work ethic and attendance and honesty and honour in daily encounters.
Kim Searle, Grade 2 teacher at Neil M. Ross, said she originally nominated Chloe because of her warm heart and positive attitude. Searle said Chloe seems to notice the children at school who are having trouble making friends and goes out of her way to make them feel accepted. She also said that Chloe has displayed a curiosity and pride regarding her heritage.
"Very early on in the year, Chloe proudly told the class that she is Métis. A few days later she wore her Métis sash to school. Even at her very young age, Chloe is embracing her identity as a Métis girl with pride and celebration," Searle said.
Recipients were gifted with special blankets, hand-crafted by people from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Maskwacis, Grande Cache and Manitoba. Rae Thygesen, communications manager for the ASBA, said the blankets were created on the direction of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, because one of the highest honours in Alberta Indigenous communities is to be presented with and wrapped in the special blanket. Each blanket included the Honouring Spirit star logo, a meaningful symbol representative of the different First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures.
Chloe said she loves learning the traditions of her culture, especially making (and mostly eating) bannock with her father on the weekend. Her parents said they were proud of their daughter for being one of 12 recipients in the whole province.
"There's only three winners in age each category," said Jennifer Verhaeghe, Chloe's mother.
"To be one of those three is pretty amazing."
Jennifer said Chloe's father, Tim Verhaeghe, grew up not knowing much about his Métis heritage but that he has made considerable effort to teach the culture to his two daughters.
Martin said recipients of the award have overcome significant challenges and demonstrated resilience.
"The most important thing in celebrating our Indigenous students is we not only elevate them, but every student, because they're role models for everyone in the community."
