Gifts from Indigenous Youth
This spring the Commission received some very meaningful and important gifts from a group of Indigenous students at J.L. Ilsley High School, and Tish Sock-Sachetti, their Mi’kmaq/Indigenous Support Worker with the Halifax Centre for Education. 
The students and Tish attended the Commission’s 2022 International Human Rights Day event at the Halifax Central Library in December. Based on their experience at the event, the students were inspired to create something special that would truly represent Mi’kmaw and Indigenous culture in spaces where representation is often lacking.
The result of this was the creation of a Spirit Blanket which was gifted to the Commission by this amazing group of students and Tish. The Blanket is now displayed in one of our resolution conference rooms at the Halifax Office. This beautiful artifact features the four colours of the medicine wheel, depicts the seven sacred teachings, and is framed by the Mi’kmaq territorial marker.
In addition to the Blanket, the students also created and gifted the Commission a Talking Stick for the Indigenous ceremony of talking circles which we have incorporated into elements of our dispute resolution process, internal group discussions and staff meetings. The talking stick is a symbol of respect in the circle, meaning whoever holds the talking stick is the only person to speak and not be interrupted by anyone sitting in the circle.
The Commission was also gifted a hand-crafted Dream Catcher for protection. Dream Catchers have their roots in Ojibwe culture. Tish, who created this piece of art for the Commission, was taught by an Ojibwe Elder and was given permission to make them. 
These students – on top of their classes, other school commitments and busy lives – fundraised to acquire the tools to complete this work and their initiative is truly inspiring. These gifts will not only be appreciated by us at the Commission, but everyone who comes to the Halifax office.
It is with the support of our Mi’kmaq/Indigenous Education and Liaison Officer that we are actively working to strengthen relationships with youth and adults within Indigenous communities in meaningful ways. It is through these relationships that we find ways to work together to bring about lasting change.
