PVNC Catholic Schools grow learning through “Reconciling with the Land” Initiative

March 27, 2026

Students across the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board are experiencing learning in a whole new way—rooted in the land, guided by Indigenous knowledge, and brought to life through meaningful community partnerships.

Thanks to support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, PVNC Catholic has been a key partner in the Reconciling with the Land initiative, led by Camp Kawartha. 

The project was celebrated this week at the Curve Lake First Nation Community Centre, recognizing the collective efforts that have transformed local school environments and enriched student learning.

Through collaboration with PVNC Catholic’s Indigenous Education team and GreenUP, two PVNC Catholic schools—St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough and St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Lakefield—have seen their grounds reimagined as vibrant, living classrooms.

Students can now learn among pocket forests, medicine gardens, pollinator spaces, and rewilded natural areas designed to restore ecosystems while supporting hands-on, experiential learning. 

These spaces not only enhance environmental stewardship but also reflect Indigenous Ways of Knowing, fostering deeper respect for the land and all living things.

The initiative has also strengthened relationships with Curve Lake First Nation. 

At Curve Lake First Nations School, Anishinaabe language signage has been installed to highlight local wildlife and promote Anishinaabemowin, helping students connect language, culture, and place.

Beyond physical transformations, the impact in classrooms—and outdoors—has been profound.

 The project delivered more than 100 land-based learning sessions, far exceeding initial goals and providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from the land and Indigenous educators.

“Reconciling with the Land has been a pivotal experience,” said Mike Mooney, Learning Consultant at PVNC Catholic. “Working together to naturalize school grounds and learn on the land has strengthened relationships and created lasting impact for students and communities.”

“This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant allowed us to move beyond words toward meaningful action,” added Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director at Camp Kawartha. “By restoring school grounds and centering Indigenous knowledge and language, we have helped young people develop deeper relationships with the land and one another. This is reconciliation rooted in relationship.”

As the initiative continues to grow, PVNC Catholic remains proud to stand alongside community partners in creating spaces where students can learn, reflect, and thrive—on the land and with one another.