# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever heard about Red Dress Day? I only discovered it recently myself. I'm not an expert, but as a woman, this day holds special significance as it honors the lives of missing and lost Indigenous women. In today's discussion we will cover topics such as the significance of Red Dress Day, the symbolism behind the red dress, the reasons behind the targeting of Indigenous women, and other related subjects.

What is red dress day?

Red dress day is an annual event celebrated on May 5th, dedicated to honoring and paying tribute to the hundreds of Indigenous women, girls and 2 spirited people who have gone missing and murdered across Canada. The primary goal of this day is to speak out against the gendered and racialized violent crimes that have been committed against indigenous women throughout history, and to highlight their absence and call for justice.

What does the red dress represent?

The red dress serves as a symbol for the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Metis Artist, Artist Jaime Black, initiated the Red Dress movement. This movement involves hanging empty red dresses from windows, trees, and clotheslines to symbolize the pain and grief experienced by the loved ones and survivors.

How many indigenous women have been murdered or missing?

As per the University of Toronto Mississauga, there is no exact count of missing or murdered Indigenous women. Estimates indicate that approximately 4,000 Indigenous women and girls have disappeared between 1956 and 2016.

Reasons that  indigenous women have been targeted.

Unfortunately, due to Canada's history with colonialism, Indigenous people in general are more susceptible toward violence. Indigenous women in particular are extremely vulnerable to human trafficking and sexual assault. If you want to  learn more about this, please visit NWAC, a native women's association that represents the political voice of Indigenous women throughout Canada.

What can be done to stop this epidemic?

We’ve talked a lot about the negative; now it's time to shift our minds towards finding  a constructive solution to address this issue.  One effective approach to combat this epidemic is raising awareness and educating individuals about this serious problem. If nobody knows about it, how can we help? Another solution involves supporting indigenous peoples and amplifying their voices. Whether through organizing community  fundraisers or talking to a friend about red dress day, Indigenous people need our support more than ever during these challenging times.

In conclusion, I hope you gained some insight into Red dress day and will continue to raise the voices of thousands of indigenous women. Ultimately,  we are all one human race and this new generation must usher in a new period in human history where both men and women are regarded in shaping history.

SOURCES:

https://www.alberta.ca/red-dress-day#:~:text=Red%20dresses%20are%20used%20to,a%20presence%20by%20marking%20absence.

https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/news-events/news/2024/red-dress-day#:~:text=On%20May%205%20we%20commemorate,against%20Indigenous%20women%20and%20girls.

https://www.alberta.ca/red-dress-day#:~:text=Red%20Dress%20Day%20honours%20the,by%20loved%20ones%20and%20survivors.

https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/main-news/overpoliced-and-underprotected-utm-study-finds-search-missing-indigenous-women-hampered#:~:text=The%20problem%20is%20so%20pervasive,murdered%20between%201956%20and%202016.

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/JUST/Brief/BR10002955/br-external/NativeWomensAssociationOfCanada-e.pdf

https://www.topmove.ca/post/red-dress-day-everything-you-need-to-know

# data[].attributes.body
In this lesson, I studied the human impact on Natural Resources. This topic is called Ecology. The term Natural Resource means that any natural material that is not man made comes from nature.

We as human beings depend on Natural Resources for our livelihood.  But sadly with every inconsiderate action comes disastrous consequences. Some examples of these are:

Pollution which can exist in water, air or land. Loss of land can lead to Deforestation. Without the forest, we lose animal and plant  habitats and most importantly  Biodiversity which we need to survive. Another factor is conservation. Conservation means to try and protect the natural environment. If we continue to misuse natural resources, we must find a sustainable alternative quickly!

# data[].attributes.headline
DO HUMANS HAVE A RIGHT TO OWN NATURAL RESOURCES?

# data[].attributes.subject
DO HUMANS HAVE A RIGHT TO OWN NATURAL RESOURCES?

# data[].attributes.body
1. Who do you think should "own" the natural resources in a given area? Why?

Why should anyone own  the natural resources? The natural resources belong to everyone and should not be taken and used for only one person’s benefit.

2. Most countries depend economically on natural resources. Do you think this justifies exploiting them? Why or why not?]

If most countries depend economically on the exploitation of natural resources, they should take what they need and not overuse it.

What are some consequences from the passage that happen as a result of exploiting natural  resources?

In Brazil, Oil  is one of their main sources of money. In order to get to the oil, they had to build massive roads leading to the oil. In the process, the combination of demolishing the natural habitats and forcing the indigenous people in those areas has had a negative effect.

4. Knowing that we need natural resources to survive, what are some ways we can be more mindful of our own use of products that use natural resources?

I think that we should first find a sustainable alternative so we don’t have to exploit natural resources and make sure we do not overuse it. For example: if filtering our water after use to consume it again.

# data[].attributes.body
1. In your own words explain what The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is.

It is a patch of garbage 2 times the size of Texas in the middle of the ocean.

2. What were some of the overall impacts of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Using the plastics only once

Not recycling

Not reusing

Not finding sustainable alternatives

1. Why do fish confuse microplastics for food?

The fact that the garbage is in the water makes the fish think it's food.

3. What are some “cleanup” efforts that have happened?

Companies are using more environmentally friendly packaging materials, countries are making laws to ban single use plastics and individuals are taking matters into their own hands and finding more sustainable alternatives for themselves..

4. How do you think you contribute to the overall trash in The Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

My lunch is sometimes wrapped in plastic wrap, my snacks are wrapped in plastic, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
We all know climate change is a big threat facing our world today, but did we know how much? After World War 2, the plastic consumption increased so much that the people themselves couldn’t keep up with it! Everything you saw/see has some kind of plastic component to it. Because it was so convenient and reliable, it became a cheap and easy way to get things done. Why bring a cloth bag if there's a plastic one at the store? To be honest, I would have thought  that too if I didn’t know the consequences. Every piece of plastic we use today contributes to the GPGP. Either through wind or rain, it somehow finds its way into a water source and finds its way into the ocean. But, don’t lose hope. By taking a simple step, we could change the fate of humanity forever. If we track down our plastic consumption and usage and find another more sustainable way to use that material, we can not only help ourselves but the environment and people on this planet.

You chose. Planet or Plastic.

# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever wondered what the story behind your name is? Well, I did and so I asked my mom. Amelia is one of the names of the Hands of the Cause, an early American believer in the Baha'i faith. She was a very generous and kind person. Another reason why my mom liked my name was that when my mom was pregnant with me, she was reading a book called Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and one of the characters was named Amelia. She knew straight away that she loved the name and would name her first born daughter, Amelia. My parents also chose the name because they thought that people from different cultures could pronounce and recognize the name. Would I ever change my name? Probably not. Amelia is a name I feel suits me and perfectly describes my personality.

# data[].attributes.body
Looking back, I can’t believe my brother forgave me for losing his airplane. It was a cool, crisp autumn day. The smell of fall cedar air filled my lungs as I woke up,  my heart filled with bliss.  As she often did, my mother took my brother and I to the school yard next door to open our minds  with fresh air.

As we walked, the orangey yellow leaves crunched under my feet.  As usual, my brother brought some kind of flying device, in this case a yellow remote control airplane. Watching the airplane glide through the air smoothly, like a butterfly,  I was confounded.

“ Hey Zach can I try?” I asked him

“ Sure, just make sure you don’t go full throttle”.

Not knowing what that meant, my finger slipped on the slippery controller and the airplane went to full throttle.  It seemed like everything had gone into slow motion. The second the airplane got into the air, a gust of autumn  wind swept the airplane up  in its huge arms, gave it a little twirl  and carried it to the school rooftop with a loud clunk. You should have seen the look on my brother's face.

“ NOOOO” he yelled as he approached me with a hand over his mouth. “ I told you not to go full throttle”.

My cheeks turning peach pink with embarrassment and pity, I started to cry.

“ Why, Why” I thought to myself. “ Such a content boy and the one ling he loved, I lost”. As the  cool wet tears splashed on my face, I heard feet rusling towards me.

“ What happened?” my mother asked, her jaw dropping to the ground, and her eyes widening up.

“ This little airplane murderer flew my airplane onto the school roof” my brother said, his face red with furry.  Looking down at my feet so that my mom could not see the tears in my eyes, I said

“ Sorry Zach '' in a faint low whisper. My heart was pounding so fast that I could barely feel my toes.

“ Amelia, look into his eyes and say it sincerely,'' my mother told me.

I slowly lifted my head and saw a look on both my mom and my brother's face that I have never seen before. Disbelief. I tried to tell myself this was only a dream and that when I woke up, my brother's most prized possession was right on his desk, glistening in the yellow sun, but I never woke up.

After a minute, I mustered up enough courage and said, looking into my brother's eyes this time:

“ I am really sorry for all the trouble I have caused” I told him, silently laughing to myself for the way I phrased that sentence.

After a few seconds of silence, my brother responded. “ Are you really sorry?”.

I thought for a moment.  I was sorry for getting it on the roof, but not so sorry that it was an accident that I went full throttle.

” I am sorry, but it really was an accident. Can you forgive me?” I told my brother, trying to make my voice steady and strong so it sounded  sincere….

There were a few quiet moments, then my brother spoke. “ By that look in your eyes, I can tell that you really mean it, but I’m still mad at you” he snapped at the very end and turned his face to my mother, who was standing there silently, listening to this whole conversation. “ I think she needs a punishment,” my brother said,  a tone of frustration in his voice.

My mother turned her head towards my brother, her hair blowing in the wind and began  to speak.  “ Zachary, I know that you are upset, but you must understand that it was an accident,” she said in a kind and gentle voice.

What happened after that blew my mind.

“ I forgive you” my brother said, standing tall and looking the most serious I have ever seen him. “What just happened? Did my brother really just forgive me?” I thought, but as that cool autumn breeze filled my lungs once more, I heaved a great sigh of relief and knew that he really did forgive me. Just when I thought I could take a deep breath, I realized that there was someone on the roof throwing down frisbees, kites, and slinkees?

“ Hey Zach, look, there's someone one the roof throwing down stuff. Maybe he will throw down your Airplane”.

Zach turned his head to see a man throwing down something yellow and long.

“ That's my airplane!” my brother yelled happily  and ran to go catch the falling yellow airplane.

My mother and I exchanged looks of relief and ran to my brother. We gave him a tight warm hug.

“ Let's go home and tell Dad this crazy story” I suggested.

My mother nodded and we started walking home. On the way, we saw trees blowing in the wind, leaves falling from its large branches. When we arrived, my brother swung the door open and ran to my dad.

“Little brothers” I thought. “ Are so awesome”.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from Zahara’s laughter on a saturday morning

Walking through deep color green paths

I am from tulips that bloom when bliss is needed

And Sun that glistens peeking through the bedroom window

I am from birthdays that come every week or so

Goods that are baked with love so deep

I am from shows that are watched  uttering laughter and glee

While the book pages flutter with an occasional “hee”

I am from prayers of unity igniting the house

Music that plays on a soft guitar

I am from Mountains so white that it makes you squint

Dust rising from the crushed rocks

Leaving me with a taste on dung

I am from stories that leave us with a lesson

While drinking hot tea and feta cheese wrapped in pita

I am from dreams that are made with deep intentions

And Goals that can be pursued

# data[].attributes.body
Stay tuned for a podcast about history of slavery in Canada.

# data[].attributes.body
When I started this project, I had no idea how this would impact my thoughts and perspective on climate change. The first lesson of the unit defined a natural resource and gave an example of not using it responsibly, Easter island, we also discussed the overuse of water and tried to keep track of how much water we use and how we can decrease our water usage.

Ecology is the main overarching topic of this lesson. We learned words like biodiversity, conserving, deforestation, sustainable, etc no we’re encouraged to use these words to convey our thoughts on this topic.

In lesson 3, the question “ do humans have the right to won natural resources” arose and we were asked to read a passage and reflect on several questions to deeply understand this issue.

Moving on, we turned our focus on identifying renewable and nonrenewable natural resources which lead to the topic of petrochemicals and a reflection piece on energy source.

Lesson 3.5 Synthetic materials gave me a leave to filter what I buy at the grocery store to a more environmentally friendly material.

Now comes the saddest of all lessons : The great pacific garbage patch ( gpgp). This problem is effecting us far more than I realised. 80% of the garbage we have today ends up in a garbage after source which makes its way to the ocean and into a garbage patch. There are currently 7 garbage patches in our oceans today.

Out of nowhere ( well not really but it felt like it) we learned about physical and chemical changes. You know what comes next. Reflection. Now my favorite part of this journey so far is my comic about the journey of the water bottle. I got to choose 1 of 3 ways a water bottle ends up in the ocean and I chose the one that stood out the most to me: gpgp. I felt this assignment was a great way to combine learning, fun and no change. It was fun writing the comic, I was learning so much that affected me in a way inexpressible through words and my favorite, I changed bad habits that were always nipping at my brain. I am constantly mindful of how much plastic I use and how much water is consumed in a 5 minute shower. Please, take the time to read my short story and please keep in mind that it is your children’s future on the line. You chose: planet or plastic.

# data[].attributes.body
REFLECTION

This unit has helped me understand how we can use graphs to visually explore many different ideas. For example if trying to understand the relationship between the number of items sold at the carnival and how many people bought it.

We learned about the 4 main types of graphs: Pie graph, line graph, bar graph and pictograph's. Some may asked why are  graphs and data important in life? Graphs are used to help us understand large numbers of data into a easy to understand format by clearly and effectively communicating important points.

Lastly, what is the importance of a graphical representation to a reader? It enables you to analyze large amounts of data in a small period of time.

How do you use graphs and data?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Amelia's Data and Graphing Project Digital

# data[].attributes.body
“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.”

—Franklin Thomas, activist, philanthropist,

Everyday, high school students are overwhelmed  by a myriad of social burdens; superficial barriers that keep us from seeking the truth that is right in front of us; our diversity. Imagine; everybody you went to school with looked the same, talked the same, smiled the same. How dull would life become? As a society, our differences make us who we are. In light of Black History Month, we should not only learn about but embrace our uniqueness altogether.

WHAT IS BLM AND WHY  IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT IT?

Black history month is an annual celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Every February, schools, communities, cities and even countries join hands to commemorate the oppression Black Americans have undergone throughout history. When black history month was established in 1976, it was made clear that it was not a period of sorrow, but pure joy and celebration to highlight their immense strength and resilience as a whole. Not only are some of the most amazing civil rights icons African American (Martin Luther King Jr, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, James Farmer and Whitney Young) but everything from fashion, art, music to cultural expression has been majorly influenced my Black culture. Learning about Black history is fundamental. Why? Because Black history is American history. The sooner society begins to accept that our past has never been perfect- if anything incredibly far from it- we will begin to blur the lines that have been put in place for so long and start a new generation where all people, no matter what race or gender, come together to celebrate one another's achievements.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO CELEBRATE BLM?

SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES

Read black authors and literature

Post about BHM on your social media

SUPPORT BLACK MEDIA

Learn about the history and achievements of black culture

Celebrate our differences;

# data[].attributes.body
Everyday, our lives revolve around ourselves. Let's face it: the majority of us have an individualistic mindset. Having these material bounds consuming our thoughts and motives has become a form of measurement in terms of success. Because our world is in this state, we must understand our journey beyond this superficial barrier. Does this help paint a better picture beyond ourselves and our intended goals in life? Some topics we will explore together  include who we are, what are some things that tie us down, how do we free ourselves from inner and outer barriers, and what is the true nature of our journey here on this planet. This information is my personal interpretation of it. I welcome you to join me on this adventure into the spiritual world.

When we talk about who we are, we would normally answer with our name, our nationality, or our roles in society. In a way, these are miniscule components that make us who we are, but are they actually you? How can we detach ourselves from our physical identity?

First and foremost, viewing ourselves as a spiritual being having a human experience helps us to realize that these are all awakening moments to our life's purpose. Now, this quintessential question takes a different turn; who is that conscious receiver, the worker being the scenes?

There have been bad days for ALL of us; whether it was getting hit with a basketball or getting a bad grade. The outside world, whether we like it or not, has a major impact on our thoughts and emotions. There are 3 types of everyday experiences; outer interactions with people, the narratives that consume our minds, and lastly, the emotions that we hang on to. .

Everyday interactions can be both pleasant, and unpleasant, ripple effects on our mind and emotions. Everyday, our only goal is to manage and be ok. Make our thoughts and emotions easier to handle. By understanding that these somewhat physical barriers constrain our potential, we can take effective steps to loosen the hold on life's difficulties.

There is no doubt that our journey towards inner freedom is long. The voyage  to free ourselves from distractions and draw ourselves to the greatness of life is a lengthy process. Surrendering to the array of tribulations we face is easier said than done. Despite this strenuous journey, we must realize that tests are part of life, and that we must try to find inner peace and joy while we go through this phase in a never ending adventure

As a result, when we grasp the fact that life is more than just ourselves, we are able to receive more experiences that not only affect our physical self, but our spiritual self, as well.

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope this letter finds you well.

As I reflect on my year so far  (academic achievements, personal and spiritual growth), I feel the need to express and share my journey with you, because after all you are my first teachers.

One goal I set this year was to assess the significance of people, places, and events. This particular goal was achieved through writing an essay on Black History Month. Not only did this goal deepen my knowledge about Black History and their contributions, but it allowed me to enhance my understanding on how cultural diversity is crucial to our society. An example of this is seen in our daily interactions that are influenced by Black culture.

A second goal I aimed for was exploring new genres that I haven't quite tapped into yet. Whether it was music, or books, this year I have been experimenting with all kinds of different genres, specifically with Self Help books. Ms. Nazli and I  have been reading a novel “Living untethered’ by Michael A. Singer which greatly explores our meaning in life and how we can shift our thinking beyond this physical realm. This project has also been very invigorating for me and I have become more mindful and conscious through the process of reading it.

This year I would have liked to improve on having a set routine and pattern to my learning habits. I feel that when I am able to plan and organize how I spend my academic time, it allows me to fully absorb my learning and transfer and apply to an everyday life situation.

In conclusion, this year has been a rollercoaster of experiences and events, each having an immense positive effect on me. I also uncovered some new traits about myself through these experiences. For example, I have shown resilience and I'm tougher than I thought I was and am able to handle more than meets the eye. I am hoping that next year I can truly be out there in the world and experience EVERYTHING, because after all life is too short to give up on all these opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
The TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) of Canada works towards listening to Indigenous stories and finding meaningful steps towards reconciliation.

Reconciliation to me means acknowledging a need and taking individual steps that will ultimately result in a collective healing process.

Despite the work being put towards the reconciliation process by school staff and student bodies, our local school community lacks a genuine connection to our nation's Reconciliation journey.

As a young person myself who listens to the land acknowledgment every morning, I'm not only deeply humbled but reminded that it  took 165 years for us to reach this point and will take just as long for us to implement reconciliation in our lives.

According to Chief Murray St. Clair, the chair of the truth and reconciliation commission of Canada, states “It was the education system that has contributed to this problem in this country. And it is the educational system we believe that is going to help us to get away from this.” By learning about Canada's painful history, we hope that future generations will recognize the importance of reflection and reconciliation. How can we ensure that future generations will feel uplifted by the change we are making today?

You may be wondering, how many calls to action have I completed? Honestly, not many so far. However, in recent weeks at school we have spent hours dedicated to  discussing and deepening our understanding of our land, recognizing our position and responsibilities as human beings living on ancestral territories, and how we can pay respect to the beautiful places around us.  Additionally, we discussed how that correlates with Indigenous principles and the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action. Remember everyone, this is just the beginning of a very long and winding reconciliation journey.

I hope this has ignited some questions and queries in you. If you are looking for more information, please visit https://crc-canada.org/en/ressources/calls-to-action-truth-reconciliation-commission-canada/.

# data[].attributes.body
In Chapter 1 we decided to probe deeper and explore what the plane crash and scar across the island symbolize.

The scar across the island symbolizes the destructive impact on humanity and its innocence. Even though civilization is viewed as advanced and applauded for its achievements, we have the devastating potential to destroy nature. Throughout history we have seen that whenever humanity faces adversity, our first instinct is to either come together and collectively find a solution, or like the famous quote says “every man for himself.”, meaning the individual will do whatever he can to survive.

# data[].attributes.body
Firstly, throughout chapter 2, we paid close attention to the leadership styles of both Jack and Ralph, and how that impacts the ethical decisions that are made.

Throughout the novel, I feel that both Jack and Ralph embody different aspects of being a good leader. As a leader, Jack is very realistic and practical. For example, when the assembly discusses what steps must be taken to survive, Jack says, “...we need an army for hunting, hunting pigs...” As a result of his pragmatic mindset, he is able to determine effective ways to help the group survive and ultimately be saved. Nonetheless, his hyper focus results in obsessiveness and destabilizes the group's unity.

Ralph, unlike Jack, is a visionary and a future-oriented person. In his speech after a somber break, Ralph attempts to lighten the mood by stating, “Sooner or later a ship will be here... so we will be rescued sooner or later.” As clearly illustrated by this example, Ralph's broad view allows him to ensure safety, as well as create a sense of hope for all those who are lost and scared.

In conclusion, Ralph and Jack's different leadership styles allow them not only to respond effectively to different situations  at hand, but also to provide stability and hope to those around them.

Secondly, we analyzed the symbolism behind the signal fire and how it represents order, hope, and the challenges the group face.

As previously discussed, the fire represents the boy's sense of hope and security.

Therefore, the nature of the fire becomes a key element in shaping the leadership qualities that Jack and Ralph exhibit.

For instance,  Ralph's relationship with the fire comes from his need for rescue.  An example of this is seen throughout this chapter. Ralph is very quick to shut down Piggy's ideas which  makes him sound harsh and insensitive.

In contrast, Jack prioritizes the fire for survival needs such as warmth and food. For example, rather than focusing on modeling for the group,  he is being critical and demanding, unmaintating the overall order.

In conclusion, this sense of hope is symbolized through the fire and its significance, and is reflected on the leadership attributes of Jack and Ralph.