Igniting Change: A Grade 11 Student's DECA Community Awareness Project
This fall, Olivia Budweth initiated a project with the goal of spreading awareness about the effects of Northern Canada’s wildfires. She noticed a lack of knowledge within the CDS community, and given the complexity of the issue, decided that something could be done to change this.
This is a Community Awareness Project as part of her commitments to the DECA Club, run by Ms. Aldoroty. The project consisted of two main events, with an accompanying digital campaign. Firstly, Olivia hosted a letter writing workshop at the school. The goal was to give students informative resources so that they could bring this issue to policymakers and ask for specific changes to be made. They talked about the extensive effects of the fires and the need for conscious climate adaptation measures in northern communities. They examined news articles and publications about the ways that the fires have been fought, specifically, the need for Indigenous input in fire restoration practices. Intersectionality between policies is crucial: in areas of land that are so important to communities, Indigenous science, knowledge, and rights should be upheld within policy creation.
Another aspect of Igniting Change was a guest speaker, Russell Tanaka, in assembly on December 18th. Olivia got the chance to interview him about his experience as a wildland firefighter in Fort Frances, Ontario. He was able to provide firsthand insight about the intensity of fighting fires week after week and the challenges that local communities face. The goal was to bring attention to the courage of our firefighters and celebrate them for risking their safety to protect communities, ecosystems, and wildlife.
Following the writeup of this fulfilling experience, Olivia is looking forward to attending DECA Provincials in February.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
