TRURO - Choosing a heritage fair project topic was an easy decision for 10-year-old Katelyn Augustine.
The Truro Elementary School Grade 4 student wanted to share her own family's Mi'kmaq heritage with her classmates as a tribute to her grandmother.
"My grandmother is Mi'kmaq and she died, and I wanted to show her in heaven I could do Mi'kmaq (as a project) and know how proud she is of me," Augustine said.
Her grandmother, Theresa Sylliboy-Sickles, passed away about three weeks ago but during the past couple years had shared her love of weaving traditional dream makers, complete with strings of feathers and beads, with Augustine.
"I wish I could have her here so she could look at my project," said the student.
Augustine was one of about 75 Grade 4 students to enter a project in the school's heritage fair with six chosen to move on to a regional competition.
Students displayed knowledge on a great number of topics, many related to their own heritage and cultural experiences.
Jessica Bray explored the traditional craft of rug hooking for her project.
"My mom showed me know to do it," said the nine-year-old. "The first time I did it I messed up but then the second time I could do it."
Her project included a live demonstration of the craft.
Marie Mingo, 9, tapped into her family's unique heritage of "mummering" to complete her project.
"My mom is from Newfoundland and she was a mummer," said Mingo.
Mummering, a tradition usually carried out during the Christmas season, is still practiced in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mingo illustrated how people would dress in costumes before stopping by neighbour's homes by donning long johns, scarves, mittens on her feet, socks on her hands and a pillowcase over her head with eyeholes cut out.
Molly Marquis spent several hours creating a model of Jacob's Ladder found in Truro's Victoria Park to accompany her project backboard delving into the history of the popular leisure destination.
"I go there a lot and I wanted to know more about it like how Victoria Park was made," she said.
The in-school fair was organized by the Grade 4 teachers, including Leanne Gallant.
She said while the project is part of the school's social studies unit on Canadian content, it is also an opportunity for students to explore local history.
"I think they take away a greater awareness of the value of the contributions that have made Canada what it is today and pride in their own personal heritage," said Gallant.
The regional fair will be held at the Nova Scotia Community College in Truro in May.
