On May 6, the launch of the Douglas Cardinal Foundation for Indigenous Waldorf Education was held at the Douglas Cardinal Salon at the Museum of Canadian History.

Over 100 people attended the event and created a joyous, upbeat energy.

See photos of the event here:May 6, 2017, Launch Photos

After meeting and greeting, the guests assembled in the “Round Space” just off the Great Hall.

Albert Dumont welcomed us to Algonquin territory and opened with the prayer of thanks.

Teioswathe, a singer from Akwesasne, moved all present with songs in Mohawk and English.

Idoia Cardinal, who facilitated the event in her engaging way, started by introducing her husband, Douglas Cardinal, whose two children had attended the Waldorf school in Ottawa. He spoke of the alignment of Indigenous values and Waldorf education and how it could be of benefit to indigenous education.

Mimie Neacappo, East James Bay Cree, and her husband Ray Soosay, from Alexander Cree Nation, spoke of the positive role Waldorf education had played in the development of their two children.

Sean Thompson, a teacher at the Everlasting Tree School, a Mohawk language Waldorf school, the first in Canada, spoke of his path to becoming a Waldorf teacher.

Jonathan Snow brought greetings and words of support from the Toronto Waldorf School.

James Brian thanked all who had made the foundation possible including the persons who had established Waldorf education in Canada 50 years ago.

$7000 was raised in donations plus another $1,000 online from those who could not attend the event.

A warm thank you to all who supported the event through their presence, either online or in person, and to all those who donated so generously to the foundation!

Our work is just beginning and we are hoping to train Indigenous teachers. With the money amassed, the foundation is able to send 4 teachers from The Everlasting Tree School, the only Indigenous Waldorf school is Canada to the Summer Festival at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto this summer.

Your support is needed to send more teachers so that Indigenous children can relate to their education in a healing manner. Please feel free to donate through our website at https://indigenouswaldorf.ca