A Rotarian, Izzeddin Hawamda, from The Rotary Club of Winnipeg spent a glorious day ice fishing on the Red River with colleagues and students in March.
Students from Maples, Garden City, and West Kildonan united at Lockport’s “Cats on the Red” event, coming together for an exhilarating ice fishing experience. In a remarkable collaboration, EAL/newcomer students, guided by their Cultural Credit class, had the opportunity to learn about ice fishing alongside Indigenous students. For many newcomers, this marked their first encounter with this traditional practice. The day was filled with invaluable interactions, fostering a deep sense of understanding and dispelling misconceptions between the two groups. Stories, culinary delights, and elements of their unique identities were shared, creating a profound bond. This extraordinary event would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Jeff Bilous, Cory Demarchuk, Frank Hallas, Chris McQuarrie, and Jill Jones, who tirelessly worked to create a safe space for all participants. Additionally, CBC’s Cory Funk joined the festivities, shedding light on these meaningful connections through their on-air coverage.