Elmwood Students Transform Trash into Artistic Treasures, Embracing Indigenous Perspectives

In a remarkable display of creativity and environmental consciousness, Elmwood High School students have turned discarded items into stunning works of art.  

Inspired by the Resilience Project and Indigenous artist Heather Campbell's "Nuliajuk In Mourning," this innovative project has produced eye-catching pieces and deepened students' understanding of Indigenous perspectives and environmental issues. 

Ms. Zhanna Samborski, the driving force behind this initiative, introduced her Grade 7 and 8 classes to the project with a unique twist. "On a beautifully sunny day at the beginning of June, we went out to our football field and collected litter," she explains. "Then, I informed students of their task: to make an art piece from the litter they collected."

This project is part of a broader effort to integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the curriculum, aligning with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. By incorporating Indigenous art and ideas about caring for nature, the school is working towards creating a more inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment. 

Initially met with skepticism, the students soon embraced the challenge. Over a month, they planned, drew, painted, and glued their collected trash into meaningful artworks. The results, according to Ms. Samborski, "exceeded my expectations and their own!"

As part of the project, students learned about traditional Indigenous art practices and their connection to environmental care. They explored how many Indigenous cultures view the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing respect and reciprocity. 

Grade 8 student Riczel Buensuceso's piece portrays the transformation of our world "from a paradise to a place where things are destroyed and left polluted." Through this project, Riczel learned that "not all used items should be thrown away. Instead, we can reuse and recycle plastic waste to make something useful." 

This perspective aligns with many Indigenous teachings about resource conservation and respect for the environment. A Grade 7 student, Kianna Rudge, found that the project widened her understanding of environmental care and Indigenous worldviews. "It showed me how much our waste and garbage impact our world and how to use garbage for reusing in different, more creative ways to recycle," she reflects. Kianna also notes how the project helped her appreciate Indigenous perspectives: "Seeing everyone's art styles, perspectives and preferences come together in this work was an amazing opportunity."

The project incorporated elements of the First Peoples Principles of Learning, such as recognizing the role of Indigenous knowledge, embracing learners' identity, and understanding the connection to land and community. Students were encouraged to reflect on their relationship with the environment and consider Indigenous approaches to sustainability. 

This innovative approach to art and environmental education has produced striking visual pieces and instilled in students a deeper appreciation for sustainability, Indigenous worldviews, and the power of creative reuse. As these young artists demonstrate, one person's trash can become another's treasure – a powerful statement on environmental stewardship. 

By integrating Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum through art and environmental education, Elmwood High School is taking significant steps towards reconciliation and creating a more inclusive learning environment for all students.