GNS: Seven Sacred Laws
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École Westhaven Elementary School uses the Indigenous Seven Sacred Laws to help students develop positive virtues and understanding about Indigenous foundational values and beliefs.
The Seven Sacred Teachings are based on a North American Indigenous Creation Story. Represented by seven animals, these teachings offer a special understanding of how we as people should live our lives peacefully together. The seven animals are Buffalo (Respect), Eagle (Love), Bear (Courage), Sabe (Honesty), Beaver (Wisdom), Wolf (Humility) and Turtle (Truth).
Westhaven students are introduced to a new teaching every month at our Monday Pack Leader Assembly. Students and staff then focus on a specific teaching throughout the upcoming month. Teachers read stories about the character trait and students complete activities to reinforce their learning. Students who demonstrate the value taught by the Sacred Teaching are nominated as a Westhaven Pack Leader. At the end of each month, nine students' names are drawn from the nominated students. Those nine students are treated to a special lunch with Principal Boos and Assistant Principal Clarke.