For a third year, a Bishop Lloyd Middle School student earned the top prize at the Alberta Caring For Our Watershed Competition among 598 student projects.
Sadey Bruce-Kopperud’s project in which she uses a beaver puppet named Amisk to share the message of conserving and protecting watersheds has earned her $1,000, and her school is also getting $1,000.
The program is a mentorship in which Sadey takes Amisk around to other classrooms and they chat about protecting the animals in the watershed. Being of Métis heritage, Sadey brings in the beaver as the guardian of the circle.
“He represents wisdom – the seven grandfather teachings,” says the grade eight student. The seven teachings in Indigenous knowledge underscore Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom.
Sadey will use her prize money to buy materials for beading. She is also opening discussions about writing books for students and teachers with lesson plans.
Last year, teacher Derek Hyland joked they had set the bar very high for themselves, but with a third provincial win the sky is the limit.
“We have been lucky to have such good students that we are working with.”
Hyland who teaches the land-based cultural program credits the “amazing young talent” and beams with pride to be “surrounded by” the Bishop Lloyd kids, like Sadey.
“She has created a curriculum-infused presentation that she goes around with and works with our schools in the Lloydminster Public School Division,” says Hyland.
The school will use the funds to pay for its canoe trip to Meadow Lake Provincial Park from June 18-21.
