The Pen Pal Project held one of three gatherings at the I.L.A on Friday, June 12 with the theme “Reflecting on our Relationships” for J/K, S/K students and Grades 1-3.
Proceeding with it’s 9th year of relationship building between communities and cultures, the award winning project allows native and non-native students that have been “pen pals” throughout the year to meet in person.
Students from elementary schools in Haldimand County, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation have the opportunity become pen pals — at the same time learning about each other’s culture, interests, and families. The aim is to foster cultural understanding and relationships between the children.
This year over 1200 students from Six Nations, New Credit and Haldimand County will be taking part in the gathering.
The gathering offered a performance by “The Saidat Show” along with DJ K.2., to inspire motivation and positivity in friendship. “The show travels across the country building self-esteem and boosts confidence in children of all ages,” wrote Dj K.2.. “The Saidat Show has been to over 1000 schools and reached over 500 students.”
Students were given the opportunity to interact with the performance and mingle with the other students while participating in activities such as the “Cha Cha Slide”, and a photo booth was provided. The experience offered cultural and communal understanding to students.
