Gonzaga Middle School is committed to providing infrastructure and support to Winnipeg’s Point Douglas and Northeast Downtown communities in a meaningful, engaged and responsible way – following a path that recognizes our shared relationship as Treaty One members and relations in our beautiful home of Manitoba. As part of a commitment to this relationship, GMS seeks out Indigenous teachers, knowledge keepers, and involves itself in community events in a supportive and educational role. Everyone directly involved in the school program receives training in Indigenous education, culture and history.
Like all schools in Manitoba should do with all the communities with whom they work, GMS is committed to fully integrating families and communities, new-Canadian, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, within the life of the school. We will work on building good relationships with public and independent schools and community groups in the areas we serve.
In addition, GMS students are involved in a significant amount of community service as part of our goal of “developing men and women for others.” As these opportunities continue to be realized, we will post stories about such experiences.
It is essential to our goals and mission for GMS to regularly engage with parents and community organizations and to rely on the support of volunteers from the local and broader Winnipeg community.
As part of its community outreach, Gonzaga Middle School regularly provides cookies or prepares sandwiches for the Mama Bear Clan to distribute on their neighbourhood walks. GMS has supported North Point Douglas Women’s Centre events by assisting with decorating, providing a space for evening men’s programming and other events when additional space is needed.
GMS has welcomed neighbourhood leaders to speak with our staff and students.
GMS has hosted community barbecues and events. It is grateful to the Kevin Chief and the Norman Chief Dancers, to Don Amero and the Janzen Boys for their participation in our community barbecue, to Munther Zeid from Foodfare for donating the food, snacks and drinks!
We are grateful to Jason Kopytko from Tim Hortons for the donation of coffee for many events.
GMS has helped with Point Douglas spring neighbourhood cleanup and supports the end violence campaign by the North Point Douglas neighbourhood association.
Gonzaga Middle School also partnered with Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK) for a period of time by welcoming their Young Men’s Life Skills group on Tuesday evenings. OPK is an organization founded by the late Larry Morrisette which aims to support marginalized, at risk, Indigenous young adults and their families.