Celebrating Philomene Stevens: A Student-Led Tribute at Elizabeth Rummel School

When a small group of Grade 3 students from Elizabeth Rummel School (ERS) expressed their sadness about the passing of Philomene Stevens, a cherished Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keeper, their heartfelt honesty sparked a beautiful tribute of her extraordinary life and gentle spirit. Together with ERS Grade 3 teacher Nadine Delorme, Right From The Start Success Coach Kathleen Wiebe helped students work through their emotions, first by encouraging them to write down their thoughts, later by spearheading a school-wide celebration that showcased the tremendous legacy and impact Philomene had on students.

As part of ERS’ ongoing efforts to integrate Indigenous knowledge into students’ learning journeys, Philomene Stevens, along with her sister Tracey, regularly visited classrooms across the school, enhancing the curriculum through an Indigenous lens to build cultural understanding, resilience, and reconciliation.

Wiebe recalls vividly how Philomene and Tracey openly shared their journey: "They spoke candidly about how their parents had a deep-rooted fear of K to 12 education, based on their experience attending residential schools. As an adult, Philomene stated her goal was to build connections with today’s school settings to reassure her community it was safe.

"Their presence built a bridge between cultures, deeply enriching our students' understanding and respect for Indigenous ways of doing, being, and knowing," she added.

After talking through their sadness, students felt honoured to bring awareness to Philomene’s contributions to ERS, getting to work quickly on creating a vibrant tribute wall filled with thoughtfully chosen colours, nature motifs, and opportunities for all students to leave personal notes expressing gratitude, love, and admiration. 

Wiebe reflected warmly on the students’ reflections: "It was so touching to see students walk up to the tribute wall and leave messages like, ‘She was very kind, and I love how she loved nature.’ As the wall filled with their tributes, Philomene’s kindness, her incredible storytelling, and her deep connection to nature was celebrated, illustrating how students genuinely understood who she was and what she represented."

Beyond celebrating Philomene, Wiebe noted that the tribute naturally fostered deeper conversations among students about loss, remembrance, and feelings surrounding death. Noting the importance of guiding these sensitive discussions, Wiebe stated, "Some children opened up about their fears or past losses, using this safe space to process emotions. It became a powerful way to celebrate Philomene’s life while addressing these significant feelings."

Reflecting on what Philomene might have thought of this heartfelt tribute, Wiebe shared,  "Philomene was such a humble soul, I am sure she would have been quietly thankful and profoundly honoured. She would have felt deeply touched by the genuine kindness expressed by our students."

Celebrating Philomene Stevens (May 7, 1953, - December 31, 2024) – Philomene was a cherished Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keeper whose guidance deeply enriched the lives of students and staff at Canadian Rockies Public Schools. Her wisdom and dedication helped ensure that the traditions and values of the Stoney Nakoda people were authentically woven into learning experiences, fostering a sense of cultural pride and connection among the entire learning community. Philomene had a rare ability to connect with young people, encouraging them to recognize their strengths and embrace their heritage with confidence. Her teachings will continue to inspire CRPS students and staff for generations to come, a lasting legacy of love, resilience, and cultural preservation. Philomene’s light will be deeply missed, but her impact will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched.