A young student in the Hanover School Division is being recognized for fostering community and cultural connection through a tea and bannock program.
What began as a small initiative to increase Indigenous representation at the school has grown into a weekly gathering drawing dozens of students and inspiring similar programs in other schools.
Treaty One Awards
Callie Gabriel, Grade 10 student at Landmark Collegiate School (LCS), recently received the Treaty One Leadership Award recognizing her efforts to create Tea Tuesday, a student-led initiative that brings students together over tea, bannock and conversation.
The Treaty One Awards are an annual celebration of individuals across Treaty One Nations who lead with Anishinaabe values and have made lasting impacts in their communities.
“I felt so acknowledged,” Gabriel says of receiving the award.
“Just a few decades ago my ancestors were always pushed aside and weren’t recognized for the things they did. This award shows the evolution of our society. It was very nice to receive.”
Tea Tuesday
Held every Tuesday during snack break, Tea Tuesday offers a variety of teas and homemade bannock prepared by LCS Elder and Gabriel’s mother, Elder Viola.
“I love (this program) a lot because I wouldn’t have talked to some of these people if it weren’t for Tea Tuesday,” Gabriel says.
“I’ve built connections and it’s just really lovely.”
The program is run by Gabriel, alongside student support staff and counsellor Reisa Horton and other student volunteers, helping serve drinks and organize the space.
“It’s a very inclusive club. Whoever wants to join, they can join,” she says.
Gabriel says the idea came from a desire to create more Indigenous representation within the school.
“I don’t think there was anything at our school to do with Indigenous people, and so Miss Horton brought the idea to me, and we both helped it rise.”
“Callie is definitely a leader in the building,” says Horton.
“She’s someone who regularly feels confident in speaking her mind, even when it’s a hard conversation to be had, whether it’s with teachers or friends.”
Horton says Gabriel’s commitment to the program, on top of her classwork and exams, is something she calls inspiring.
“Taking time away from what’s prioritized to her to bring joy to others is inspiring,” she says.
A sense of belonging
What began as a small gathering between Gabriel and Horton has grown significantly.
Gabriel estimates attendance doubled from about 20 students in its first year to roughly 40 this year.
“You’ll see a tiny Grade 7 in line and right behind them towering over is a Grade 12 student,” says Horton.
Horton says Tea Tuesday has helped bridge gaps between middle years and high school students in the school’s Grade 7 to 12 setting.
“No matter your age, no matter your grade, you want to feel like you belong,” Horton says.
Gabriel notes the school feels like “one big family,” growing closer over time.
Several other schools in the division have also started their own programs inspired by Tea Tuesday, something that feels “honourable and exciting,” to both Gabriel and Horton.
Creating a safe space
For Gabriel, the program’s success is rooted in something deeply personal: creating a safe space where students feel seen.
“When I was younger, I didn’t always feel like I belonged,” Gabriel says.
“Now, I have so many people I could talk to.”
She notes the program also has helped her build a deeper connection with her Indigenous identity.
“It’s a safe space to ask questions, for me to share my experiences. It’s quite a nice thing,” she says.
“My journey over the past few years is figuring out who I am as an Indigenous person. I feel like Tea Tuesday has been one step to that.”
Although Tea Tuesday wrapped up for the school year at the end of March, Gabriel says she is already looking forward to bringing it back next year.
“I’m excited to see how the program grows. We have ideas that haven’t come completely to life yet,” Gabriel says.
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