Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Sage and Sunshine school blends Indigenous culture with Ontario curriculum

Share
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -

A mother and early childhood educator is doing her part to revitalize the Ojibwe language, and help children connect with their Indigenous heritage.

Ashley Wynne runs Sage and Sunshine, a school where the goal is to grow children's minds along with their cultural roots.

"I didn't have any Indigenous friends, and so when my kids were starting school I really wanted that for them," Wynne, who has two sons attending the school, told CTV National News. "Every day we learn about cultural teachings."

The Ojibwe language and customs and are a priority at the school, along with one-on-one time with each child.

"The major reason I wanted to bring [my daughter] here is to incorporate a lot of the culture that we have been missing," Dallas Contin told CTV National News. "She has a hard time learning in general, and this opportunity came along and she is actually starting to excel now."

The school follows the provincial curriculum while using Ojibwe traditions to create a sense of belonging and fitting in.

"I want them to be able to take their culture and their teachings and not only bring it with them through their life but also be able to teach their own children," Wynne said.

Eight students from ages four to nine are currently enrolled in the school, and there is already a waiting list for next year.

"Seeing my child enjoying coming to school and wanting to come to school is just a win-win," Contin said.

Being a private school, Sage and Sunshine has set up a page to help with tuition costs for low-income families. 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A Manitoba man convicted of murder 50 years ago has been acquitted. Clarence Woodhouse was found guilty in 1974 of fatally beating and stabbing a restaurant worker in downtown Winnipeg.

A health official has confirmed a child in Ontario has died after they came in contact with a rabid bat.

More sexual assault charges have been filed against billionaire Frank Stronach with the Canadian businessman now facing a total of 18 charges.

An Ontario family was planning a religious trip to Saudi Arabia that included 10 people, but when they were checking in for their flights, the family discovered some of their tickets were fake.

Local Spotlight

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

On Saturday night at her parents’ home in Delaware, Ont. the Olympic bronze medallist in pole vault welcomed everyone who played a role in getting her to the podium in Paris.

A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.

When a group of B.C. filmmakers set out on a small fishing boat near Powell River last week, they hoped to capture some video for a documentary on humpback whales. What happened next blew their minds.

A pizza chain in Edmonton claims to have the world's largest deliverable pizza.

Stay Connected