June 21 seemed the perfect day to hold an official opening of a school named after a local educator and Indigenous elder.
The Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary school community gathered on what was National Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate the official opening of the school.
The doors first opened to students and staff back in September 2021, but a community gathering was on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was one of the first times for the school community to gather in person with guests in the new building.
The celebration included special recognition to Donna Gabriel Robins, the former 91原创 School District educator from the Kwantlen First Nation. Family members and district staff shared heartfelt tributes to the long-time teacher.
鈥淭oday is an emotional day as a Kwantlen member, as a nephew, because there has been no school named after someone that is still here. And right now, we are breaking history for a woman that deserves this, a Xwelmexw woman, an Indigenous woman, on National Indigenous Day. This means so much to our people and we are going to celebrate today because she is such a wonderful woman,鈥� said Michael Kelly-Gabriel with the Kwantlen First Nations.
The school is named after his aunt.
鈥淪he is my hero. She believes each and every one of you here has a gift. And she devoted her whole life, her whole entire life, to make sure every child when she was in her job, sharing her gift every single day, that every child found out their gift,鈥� Kelly-Gabriel added.
As part of the ceremony, Kelly-Gabriel welcomed everyone with drumming and also gave students a short lesson on how to say, 鈥渢hank you, respected one鈥� in h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 which is 鈥渉ay 膷x史 q虛蓹, s菨媒e岣�.鈥� He led the students in a collective 鈥渉ay 膷x史 q虛蓹, s菨媒e岣库�� to Gabriel Robins.
Members of the school community also recognized the architects and builders of the school by presenting them with Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary branded sweatshirts.
鈥淢y initial reaction to the school was excitement because it has two floors. We have more room to move around now, and less opportunities to be squished,鈥� said student Sofia.
鈥淢y favourite memory so far at DGR is meeting Donna Gabriel Robins in person,鈥� continues Sofia. 鈥淪he came to visit us in November when we had our first school spirit day. It was cool seeing so many people wearing our new DGR hoodies. The best part was watching Donna and her husband, Brad, signing autographs. I even got an autograph!鈥� described the Grade 5 student.
鈥淓ven with the short amount of time, the building has been a wonderful space for the students and staff to feel very welcome, and fortunate to have this new facility to learn, teach, and grow in,鈥� stated Ho Sun Kim, teacher at the school.
Gabriel Robins addressed the audience and shared an inspiring message to students.
鈥淲e, as elders, are always watching,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e, as elders, are always encouraging, not pushing, encouraging you to do your very best. I want you to do whatever you want when you grow up. You can do anything.鈥�
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鈥� READ MORE: Teacher taken aback when district asked to name school after her
鈥� READ MORE: Donna Gabriel Robins worked as an educator for more than 30 years
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