Danka Brewer Receives LDSB Outstanding Service Award

Apr 24, 2014

On April 9, Shabot Obaadjiwan Elder Danka Brewer was presented with an Outstanding Service Award by the Limestone District School Board. The award was presented by Trustee Ann Goodfellow.

The LDSB citation reads:

"Danka Brewer’s contributions to education in the Limestone District School Board over the past few years have been invaluable as she increases our understanding of Aboriginal cultures, histories, and languages. Her genial interactions with staff and students have enhanced their knowledge of Algonquin and other cultures, but have also put a positive face to Aboriginal people in our area. More than anyone else, she has worked to build bridges between her community and culture and the Limestone DSB.

Danka is an Elder from the Shabat Obaadjiwan First Nation in the Sharbot Lake area. While her influence within our board has been extensive, she also contributes to her community and to Aboriginal activities in Eastern Ontario. She cares deeply about students and constantly tries to support teachers and to link her work to curriculum.

Danka’s interactions with staff and students in the LDSB have been positive and enriching. She has been a member of the board’s Aboriginal Advisory Council since its inception five years ago, and has provided insight and support. She is the Elder in Residence at the Elementary First Nation, Metis and Inuit program housed at Rideau Heights PS, providing a range of teachings and activities to the students throughout the school year. She has been a regular presenter at board-organized Aboriginal cultural events for both elementary and secondary students, including the Sharbot Lake Aboriginal Experience Days and the Four Winds Conferences on Aboriginal Cultures. She is a regular presenter at board-organized professional learning where she provides Aboriginal teachings, encouragement and support to teachers. When the Ministry of Education sought community input into its new Great to Excellent policy, Danka was one of our community partners we asked to provide feedback.

Danka has provided teachings at schools throughout the LDSB, including Land O’Lakes, First Avenue, Rideau Heights, Hichenbrooke, Bayridge PS, Harrowsmith, Clarendon, Tamworth, Odessa, and Sharbot Lake PS and High School, Granite Ridge, JG Simcoe and Perth Road PS.

It is hard to overstate the role that Danka Brewer has played in helping to develop Aboriginal Education in the Limestone District School Board. Her constant refrain is, “How can I help?” Her knowledge and positive persona have helped hundreds of students and teachers made crucial connections with Aboriginal culture.

To Danka we say Chi Miigwetch for all you do to help our staff and students."