Club Amick Readers Visit Toronto!

On Monday, June 9th, 2008, after getting to know each other through an exchange of e-mails and letters, Club Amick readers from the Rev. Eleazar Winter Memorial School located in Wapekeka First Nation, met with a group of children from Smithfield Middle School located in Etobicoke, Ontario. In attendance with the children from both schools, parents and teachers from Wapekeka, and teachers from Smithfield Middle School, were members from the Club Amick team, representatives from the Southern Ontario Library Service, representatives for RoseAnne Archibald, Deputy Grand Chief for Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Anishinaabe Graphic Novel artist, Chad Solomon, and E.T. the Librarian.

Upon their arrival, the Club Amick readers from Wapekeka received a warm greeting from their Smithfield pen pals who gave them a tour of their classroom and the school. After the tour, some of the students from both groups played a quick game of basketball while the rest of the visitors cheered them on. The game was followed by a barbecue held in the school’s courtyard. A variety of homemade Indian food along with falafel hotdogs and drinks were served. The Smithfield African drumming group and the school’s dancing group entertained the guests. After lunch, Chad Solomon held an art workshop for the children who learned how to draw the main characters of Rabbit and Bear Paws. The day ended with each child receiving a copy of Rabbit and Bear Paws from Chad, and Club Amick book bags filled with goodies from the Club Amick staff. The school provided drinks and popsicles before warm good-byes were exchanged by all. The Club Amick team thanks everyone for their support in helping the day run smoothly.

Toronto Welcomes Wapekeka!
Guests and students enjoy the outdoors.
Chad Solomon plays ball with the students.
Guests wait in the courtyard for lunch.
E.T. the Librarian shares laughter with Wapekeka guests.
Everyone enjoys the delicious food!
Smithfield dancing group puts on a good show!
A special treat!  African drumming for the guests.
Chad Solomon does his stuff!
Students read Rabbit and Bear Paws.
Students' line up for an autograph from Chad Solomon.
Time to go!