Vision

For the first time this year, our school created an Ancestors Club based on the book, Be a Good Ancestor by Leona Prince and Gabrielle Prince. During our first meeting, we decided our group would:

“Be a good Ancestor with your thoughts
Thoughts become ideas
Ideas become movements
Movements become change”

For this year, we would:
“Be a good Ancestor with the land
Seeds become seedlings
Seedlings become trees
Trees become forests
Forests become oxygen”

We not only wanted the students to be able to do something tangible, but also have an education piece. We concentrated on local and sustainable food sources, particularly those with Indigenous uses.

Action

Over the course of the school year, our Ancestors club and classroom:

Received by donation a large grow tower to grow vegetable and flower seedlings
Bought two garden beds and soil for flowers and vegetables seedlings
Ancestors Club members participated in Climate Youth Forum in January.
Participated in District Changemakers showcase where club members donated native Camas and Red Columbine seeds with information about the seeds (when to plant, what they look like and traditional uses) and how our club is growing local food sources.
Worked with the District of Central Saanich to obtain a “Plant a Tree” grant where Brentwood Elementary receives $6,000 of small trees and bushes and they will be planted as a community in September 2025 in our school yard.
Partnered with District of Central Saanich Parks & Facilities staff to remove invasive plant species from a local Garry Oak park.

Reflection & Celebration

The Youth Forum inspired our newly formed Ancestors Club members to attend regular meetings and plan impacting projects including the entire school and Brentwood Bay community. The project started this year and will continue to be built on in future years.