by Margaret Poulette, MMNN Contributor

Nitap Day and the Sisters in Spirit Walk were an opportunity for the students of Potlotek High School to interact with the younger students at Mi’kmawey School and walk in solidarity with community members. Both events provided the opportunity for everyone involved to display their support for two very important issues…bullying and missing and murdered aboriginal women.

In its’ second year, Nitap Day is an initiative that was put forth in an effort to address the issue of bullying and work on ways to prevent it from happening in schools. At Mi’kmawey School, the day started off with a videoconference with other band operated schools in the province and then quickly broke off into center-based activities for the students and staff. These activities emphasized team building exercises that had students working closely with another to ensure the best possible results.

As part of its wellness plan, the community works cooperatively with the St. Peter’s detachment of the RCMP and this event was no different. A member of the detachment was invited to join the students in their walk to raise awareness of the issue of bullying. The word “nitap” means “friend” and nowhere was this more evident than in the faces of the youngest students who openly held hands and kept their friends safe from any potential danger!

This friendship was replicated during the Sisters in Spirit Walk where high school students once again had the opportunity to walk ...