ONAKI Circles have been a major success in Outaouais primary and secondary schools and the program is expanding considerably thanks to funding from Table Éducation Outaouais (TÉO) and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (now Indigenous Services Canada).
Results:
- ONAKI Circles were implemented in two English-language schools in the Hull sector of Gatineau: Philemon Wright high school and Pierre Elliott Trudeau elementary school. ONAKI Circles are in development in several French-language schools: Grande‑Rivière and Mont-Bleu high schools, in Aylmer and Hull respectively, and Trois-Portages and Marais elementary schools, both in Aylmer.
- More than 20 weekly meetings took place for ONAKI Circles, with a variety of activities: making beads, preparing bannock bread, conducting digital fabrication workshops, etc.
- A successful Indigenous social entrepreneurship project based on making and selling dream catchers.
- Closer ties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
- Strengthening Indigenous students’ self-esteem and pride in their identity.