kapapamahchakwew wandering spirit school

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Ella Laforme is celebrating being a part ofKâpapâmahchakwêw - Wandering Spirit School’s first graduating class. She’ll head to Queen’s this fall to study psychology.

Paige Taylor White / Toronto Star
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Tanya Senk, system superintendent of Indigenous education at the TDSB.

Kâpapâmahchakwêw - Wandering Spirit School welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2017.

‘We’re making history,’ says one of the first high school graduates of a TDSB school that integrates Indigenous languages and culture

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Growing up, Ella Laforme often felt like the “token Indigenous student” at the schools she attended. Teachers expected her to answer questions about “everything to do with Indigenous nations and culture,” even when she was just 13.

That all changed when she enrolled in schools for Indigenous students, namely Kâpapâmahchakwêw - Wandering Spirit School in east Toronto, where Indigenous values, language and culture are integrated into the curriculum.

“It was such a refreshing feeling,” said Laforme, 17. “Instead of being the Indigenous student, I was simply another student.” She’s now one of Wandering Spirit’s very first high school graduates.

“We’re making history … With that comes a lot of responsibility, being role models for younger students.”

Wandering Spirit, part of the Toronto board, welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2017, added Grade 10 in 2018, Grade 11 in 2019 and Grade 12 in 2020. The expansion meant students could complete their education at Wandering Spirit School. Some of the students graduating this year have been at the school since kindergarten.

Kâpapâmahchakwêw serves Indigenous students from diverse Indigenous and Métis communities, as well as rural and urban neighbourhoods. It provides students with rich opportunities to learn Indigenous languages, in this case Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe, which were some of Laforme’s favourite classes.

“All the teachers I had were absolutely amazing,” Laforme said, adding that educators not only prepared her for academic success, but also entering adulthood. She’s one of the 2021 recipients of the ONE City Scholarship, and will head to Queen’s University this fall to study psychology.

Tanya Senk, system superintendent of Indigenous education at the Toronto District School Board, said the school is a “redress to the legacy of Indian residential school and ongoing colonization.”

“The public school system is still very colonial,” Senk said. “Wandering Spirit is a place to engage in sovereignty and self-determination.”

While the ongoing discovery of unmarked graves near residential schools has triggered a national reckoning, Indigenous peoples and leaders have long known and felt the impact of colonial atrocities. Christina Saunders, principal of Wandering Spirit, said she’s taught in non-Indigenous focused schools, and witnessed the inter-generational trauma some Indigenous parents experience, hesitating to walk into educational buildings because “they don’t feel safe.”

“Kâpapâmahchakwêw is a place where caregivers feel safe, and are greeted by Indigenous administrators,” Saunders said. “Students are taught by Indigenous teachers … we make a space for them to engage in their cultures, and to feed their spirit through ceremony and dance, and any way possible.”

Laforme was born and raised in Toronto, until moving to Six Nations of the Grand River, where she completed Grade 7 before returning to the city. When it came time for Grade 8 enrolment, her mom firmly decided on Wandering Spirit School.

“She thought going to a school where I would be surrounded by Indigenous people like me would be best,” Laforme said.

The decision where to attend high school was up to Laforme, who chose to stay at Kâpapâmahchakwêw. She wasn’t ready to part with close friends, and was curious about being one of the first high school students.

Around 50 students are enrolled in the high school program, and 180 in total. The curriculum offers students classes such as NAC10 (Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures), NAC20 (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada) and NBE3 (English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices). Indigenous perspectives are also centred in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, medicine and design classes.

The school provides pathways for experiential learning at Indigenous agencies and organizations to earn credits. A chef that works with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre teaches students about Indigenous food sovereignty. Every Friday, students, staff and caregivers participate in a big drum circle, share accolades and teachings, and wish each other well ahead of the weekend.

In the next academic year, the school will implement a program to help students re-establish a spiritual connection with the land they live on.

Senk, who is Métis, Cree and Saulteaux, serves on the Toronto board’s Elders Council, which works with Wandering Spirit, along with Elders Pauline Shirt, Clayton Shirt, Joanne Dallaire and Duke Redbird.

“It’s really important that Indigenous students receive an education that is worthy of our ancestors,” Senk said. “It’s about the reconnection to land, language, cultures and traditions. This is incredibly important when we think about well-being and mental health through Indigenous perspectives, that look at the holistic constructs of the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of one’s being.”

Wandering Spirit was founded in 1976 by Elders Pauline Shirt and Vern Harper, and started in their living room. Their hope was to create a survival school that centres “Indigenous ways of knowing and being” in education, and to shield their children and others from the “systemic racism they had experienced in their schooling” up until that time.

The alternative school moved from that living room to the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, then was recognized by the Toronto board as a cultural survival/Native way program in 1983. In 1989, it was renamed and became the First Nations School of Toronto.

In 2018/2019, the school “reclaimed” its original Cree name; Kâpapâmahchakwêw or Wandering Spirit was a young war chief among the Plains Cree, a relative of Pauline Shirt’s.

“It’s a place of healing and nurturing, and it’s a place where we’re coming together positively, and walking in a good way,” Pauline Shirt said. “Especially at this time, when the community is coming together.”

She explained the Strawberry Moon cycle, which occurs in June, represents a time of reconciliation, coming together and healing.

The urban Indigenous experience is distinct, Senk said, adding Toronto has the largest Indigenous population in Ontario.

“It’s incredibly important students can be engaged deeply with Indigenous knowledge and land-based learning, within an urban construct,” Senk said.

Saunders stressed the importance of non-Indigenous teachers across the province understanding and making the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action a priority, particularly sections 62 and 63. They call for curriculum on residential schools, treaties and Indigenous people’s historical and contemporary contributions to Canada to be mandatory education for all grades.

“We are fortunate to have a learning space like Kâpapâmahchakwêw, that supports our Indigenous students. But there are Indigenous students in all schools across Ontario, and they need support and guidance in those buildings as well.”

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Canadian Urbanism Uncovered

Indigenous Toronto: Wandering Spirit School and the vision of Nimkiiquay

When Wandering Spirit’s name was unspoken

Mainstream schools have taught children that Louis Riel, Big Bear and Wandering Spirit were traitors, and misunderstandings about the details of these incidents have been retold by community members for decades. Notwithstanding this imperfect historical memory, Wandering Spirit’s goal of independence and his fight against starvation were resolute and irrefutably determined his actions. Despite his dedication to his people, Wandering Spirit’s name was unspoken on Pauline’s reserve for nearly six generations. When she began the school, Pauline was unaware of her close blood ties to him. Her family held their silence for generations as they had been disgraced with the label, “your-Grandfather-killed” — a saying that underscored the shunning of Wandering Spirit for being labelled as ‘a killer of your own’ and the community’s cultural prohibition against being the first to raise your weapon. Today, Pauline celebrates his name and the indomitable spirit that sought a better future for his community.

As poet and author Sharon Berg writes in her book, The Name Unspoken: Wandering Spirit Survival School:

Pauline named her school after him in order to re-establish his name with honour in his own community. In Pauline’s understanding, he had shouldered the blame for circumstances that were far beyond his control in 1885. As a warrior, his life was devoted to protecting his nation and Wandering Spirit did his best to protect his band during the events leading up to the Frog Lake uprising and their months-long trek through the forests… Even with his last breath, Wandering Spirit urged his people to continue practicing their cultural ways in the death song he sang for his wife. …Pauline heard from people who knew the true story, different than the story recorded for posterity. The shooting of Thomas Quinn was shifted to Wandering Spirit’s shoulders to protect a younger brave. That’s why his name was unspoken in Pauline’s family for almost 100 years. She wanted to correct the wrong done to him, even as she worked to correct the wrongs done to her people.

The story of her grandfather, six generations removed, is certainly a tributary for Pauline’s vision. Another is her family in Alberta, and growing up on a farm where she was her father’s shadow. She learned “how to work in a circle, together as a family, to respect and love each other.”

Being Dad’s helper, that’s how I learned to take care of Mother Earth Dad was always talking to the spirits, talking to the horses, animals, and plants. He showed me what a relationship to the earth looks like. While he was tilling the fields, he’d talk to the earth. He taught me all the trees, berries, the birthing of animals. As Plains Cree, the horses were such a great part of our livelihood. We have that connection.

She shared that everyone had a responsibility in the family, and that at lunch time, everyone would be together. She was also taught that,

[e]verything had a spirit – the clouds, air, the wind, water, the wood, the animals. If the spirit is alive, they have their own language, and my father would talk to them in our Cree language, and they understood. I used to love how he would communicate with the horses and run around with them. We would try to imitate him. As a little girl, after the rain, I would just run in my bare feet, with my dress flying around, right into the water and meet my father. I will always remember that most beautiful feeling of being connected to water.

Pauline has always loved learning, and this learning spirit was nourished by her family, by the land, as well as in school. When she was eight years old, she went to Blue Quills School, a residential school in St. Paul, Alberta, run by the Catholic Church and named after Chief Blue Quill (Sîpihtakanep) of Treaty 6 territory. Unlike so many, Pauline’s experience of school was positive. This was helped by her mother’s presence as the assistant cook at the school, allowing her a parental connection that most children were denied. As Pauline recounts: “They tried to make me a good Catholic girl, but I was traditional and I spoke my language. But I loved to learn. In grade 11 or 12, I went to school in Edmonton and I just loved it. I continued onto college for business school, and then I came to Toronto in the late 1960s with my three little ones. Going to Toronto was like going to China at that time!”

Compared to rural Alberta, Toronto meant a radical departure from a land-based lifestyle and a separation from a distinctively Indigenous community. Seeking community and family, Pauline became involved with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, known still as an important meeting place for the urban Indigenous community. Soon, Pauline connected to other Indigenous people, including the respected educators and leaders Jim Dumont, Edna Manitowabi, and Joe Hare. Becoming involved with the burgeoning Indigenous rights movement of the time, politics were braided into their new urban life.

Pauline and Vern became fixtures in activist circles, never shying away from the front lines of the causes they supported. In 1974, along with Louis Cameron (founder of the Ojibway Warrior Society of Kenora), Chief Ken Basil of the Bonaparte First Nations in British Columbia, and others, the two co-founded what would become known as the Native People’s Caravan.

“In 1974 there was a call out to organize the Native People’s Caravan. Vern and I organized, and we trucked 200-250 young people across the country with our Eagle Staff and developed the Native People’s Manifesto. Our main purpose was to go on September 30, 1974 to meet the parliamentarians, along with George Manual and the National Indian Brotherhood [now the Assembly of First Nations].”

The Caravan moved from Vancouver to Ottawa to deliver a manifesto to the federal government about the state of Indigenous lives, including poverty, dishonoured treaties, Métis rights, and other grievances. It became a symbol of Indigenous solidarity and self-determination, and education became a crucial focus, with the demand of “Indian Control of Indian Education.” As Pauline recounts:

We were so young, we said “enough is enough,” they are not listening to our chiefs, or our people. It was just broken promises, and then the White Paper In the caravan, we said we would go for the opening of the Parliament and talk to the parliamentarians about our education system, spirituality and health. It was a very peaceful thing. When we got to Ottawa on Sept. 29, we had a peaceful protest, had the drum there, and the women took over. I was the last one to close the doors behind us, make sure nobody had any guns or sticks. We got there around 10 a.m. I remember my little boys were playing with their toys, and we made sure that if anything happened, the kids had someone to spirit them away. Then, of course, they sent the riot squad to us. It was really bloody. We went back to this abandoned building [on Victoria Island], and called it the Native People’s Embassy. We had a big circle, sang songs, gave tobacco, and asked the spirit, “What now Spirit? They don’t want to listen to us, they beat us.” So many people were beat up and Vern was concussed, but we sat in that circle and looked at our manifesto, and decided that since the politicians would not listen to us, we would decide what we were going to do for ourselves. I put my hand up and I said, “I am going to put my mark on education. I am going to start my own school in Toronto.” That was October 1, 1974.

Though so many moments in Pauline’s life reveal it, perhaps October 1, 1974, marks the moment when the spirit of her great-grandfather from generations past became manifest. After her son Clayton’s refusal to return to school, she eventually established one in her own living room with her children and others, and with supporters who were conscientious of what was happening in the education system. Nobody was learning anything about Indigenous cultures.

Pauline’s school was modeled after The Red School House in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of a project by the American Indian Movement. The founder of that school was her friend and AIM affiliate, Eddie Benton-Banai. As Sharon Berg recalls from her time living in the same housing co-op at Pauline in the early 1980s, Eddie had a big sticker across the back of his van that read, “You are in Indian country.” Sharon writes, “I couldn’t help but think this sticker was notice of Aboriginal resistance to the colonial land grab… It was also a resistance of the Residential Schools system. That note of resistance was the first seed for the establishment of Pauline’s school… That connection to the AIM Survival Schools is the second seed.”

Self-determination through Native education was a foundational, and at the time, radical idea of the Wandering Spirit Survival School. A “Native Way Education” for children was at the core of Pauline’s vision, grounded in a Four Seasons Curriculum, including language, ceremony, community immersion, and love. Obstacles to creating the school were many, and included voices from the Indigenous community. At first, Pauline paid for everything from her savings, but soon she found a critical circle of supporters who carried her vision forward:

The spirit of our ancestors and medicines helped us. I was well guarded. I knew lawyers and knew how I wished the school to be: To share the spirit of what our ancestors had been, passed on to our future generations.

We had people from all the four sacred colours involved. I always had people surrounding me and helping me out, women in particular. Vern helped in the beginning. Nora Keeshig-Tobias, Keith Lickers, and others helped us to create the curriculum. Everyone listened to my stories, and saw how my children were being treated in the mainstream school. There weren’t rich Anishinaabe to join us. We were an embarrassment at the time. People were scared of the child welfare system taking their children away if they got involved. We called on the parents to be the advisors to us, so we developed a working parent’s council and they were just so lovely. I selected seven people, including Jim Dumont, to be on the council, and we became well known by the city as politicians. We had meetings at my house at that time with Keith Lickers [an elementary school teacher from Six Nations] and Al Bigwin [an elementary school principal who was First Nations] who both just listened and understood. I then registered with the Province, under my name, to continue the school as a private school. Roger Obonsawin [Executive Director] approached me at the Native Canadian Centre, and he said “the board is offering you a classroom here.” We had this big classroom that was spacious and bright. Roger and the Centre helped us with funding and with their luncheon program. So, we moved to Spadina and Bloor.

Pauline believes that people eventually accepted her vision for a legitimate, Native Way school because they were accepting themselves and understanding why they were put on Turtle Island. Due to the success of the model established by Pauline and her large circle of supporters, in 1977 the Toronto Board of Education voted to accept it as an alternative school. She recalls the vote was not an easy win, and required Pauline to call on her great grandfather’s spirit.

After a few months at the Native Centre, the Toronto Board approached me to join as an alternative school. I remember it was a very emotional day for me. Dale Shuttleworth at the Board of Education stood by me, introduced me to everyone. I’ll never forget this one trustee who banged his shoe on the table, just like Khrushchev when he took his shoe off and banged it on the table at the UN. There was a lot of yelling, “Who do these Indians think they are?” I had to leave the room when the trustees had to vote. I went out to another building and offered my tobacco, and I spoke to my grandpa: “Grampa, if you allow us to have our school as part of the TBE, we will still maintain our own way. I will not receive a red penny for seven years. Please help us.” That was a promise I made to the school. I also remember Irene Atkinson who was a hell raiser on the TBE, and a lot of my friends were there, and we won. We named the school Wandering Spirit, and it was the first legitimate Native controlled school across Canada.

Eight years after the school was accepted by the board, in 1985, a policy as passed by the TBE entitled, “Wandering Spirit: Self-determination through Native Education.” This bylaw aided in the proliferation of a Native Way Education through other public schools, including Eastview Jr. Public School, Riverdale Collegiate Institute, The Native Learning Centre, and The Native Learning Centre East.

As Pauline reminds me, near the end of our conversation, “Things change. Nothing is ever the same.” This isn’t a lament, but an acknowledgment of the shifting nature of the school. Pauline eventually had to withdraw from involvement in the school due to illness. In 1989, the name of the school was changed to the more generic name, First Nations School, and grew to be larger in scope but in some ways lost its ties to the original spirit of the school. Tanya Senk (Métis/Cree/Salteaux), who is currently the Principal, or Kiskitomowin eskwe (Knowledge woman), and the Centrally Assigned Board Lead in Indigenous Education within the Urban Indigenous Education Centre of the TDSB, called to let me know that in February, 2019, the school had a reclaiming of the name ceremony. Tanya shared that the re-named Kapapamahchakwew – Wandering Spirit School, has grown from a K-8 to a K-12 school, and is now located at 16 Phin Avenue, in the old Eastern Commerce School. The academic year 2021-2022 marks the first time that Grade 12 will be offered.

“Education in this school is about knowing who you are as an Indigenous person, and also thinking about Indigenous futurity, and what it means to be an Indigenous person in the 21st Century,” says Tanya. “Knowing who you are, and being creative and innovative in your thinking.” She mentions that the aim of education to her is about “finding your gifts and then sharing your gifts,” and she centers an approach to teaching developed by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall called “Two-Eyed Seeing.” In essence, Two-Eyed Seeing is about braiding together the best of Indigenous knowledge with knowledge from other cultures. As Albert Marshall shared in a talk about this concept at Humber College, “There is no hierarchy of knowledge. We all hold a piece of the puzzle.” As it was always part of Pauline’s intention to include the four sacred colours, today’s Wandering Spirit School invites learners from any cultural background who seek an Indigenous-focused education.

Pauline’s vision circles back to her ancestor, Kapapamahchakwew, and is carried on through her children, through the people she has taught, and through Wandering Spirit School. Her vision reminds us that, even though this city defines our lives in countless ways, there is still a way of finding the gifts that our ancestors fought for, and an importance to carrying them forward: “You have to know your creation story. That is where we get our curriculum from, and our songs, and our stories. That’s where the spirit comes from. The children who attended never knew their spiritual names or clan systems, and we taught them that. That whole spirituality was embedded in them, and we helped them bring it out. We were just spiritual helpers, and that’s all I’ll ever be.”

(Source information from The Name Unspoken: Wandering Spirit Survival School (2019) and personal correspondence with author Sharon Berg.)

top photo courtesy of the Wandering Spirit School’s Twitter account @KWSS_TDSB

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First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School (GR. JK-12) Verified listing

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Vision: To empower future leaders with a strong cultural identity to be contributing members in a global society.

In 1977, this school was founded on the vision of Pauline Shirt and Vern Harper who were looking for a safer school for their own child. They searched for a school that was culturally safe and nurtured their son’s Indigenous identity. But when a school couldn’t be found, they founded their own school known as Wandering Spirit Survival School, which was designated as an alternative school. In 1983, the school was recognized by the TDSB as a Cultural Survival/Native Way program instead of an alternative school. In 1989, the program was renamed First Nations School of Toronto (FNST). Then in 2018/19, the school returned to its original roots and after a renaming ceremony, and is now called Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School.

Kindergarten at Kapapamahchakwew-Wandering Spirit School is child-centred and culturally relevant. It provides Indigenous children with an opportunity to learn about Anishinaabe cultural traditions in a nurturing, caring environment. Children learn within a circle of caring that includes family, caregivers, community and the children themselves. Students are engaged holistically while learning about the teachings and ways of Anishinaabe Peoples through a physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual play-based program that incorporates music, songs, games, stories and dances.

16 Phin Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 3T2, Canada

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8:00 am - 4:00 pm

April 11, 2024 8:18 pm local time

Kindergarten at FNST

Our program is child-centered and culturally relevant. Children learn about the teachings and ways of Indigenous peoples through play-based programs that include music, songs, games, stories and dances of Anishinaabe culture. Registration Week is in the beginning of February. Contact us: 416.393.0230

Achieving Excellence through the Urban Indigenous

Along with the Aboriginal Education Centre (AEC), FNST is part of the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, which is committed to closing the opportunity gap for Aboriginal students across the district. Learn more about the Aboriginal Education Centre at www.tdsb.on.ca/aboriginaleducation

Supporting Aboriginal Voices Across the Curriculum

Students who attend FNST enjoy culturally-enriched programs that incorporate:

Native Second Language programming
access to traditional ceremonies
traditional singing and drumming
traditional dance and movement • community feasts

Parent and Community Involvement

The FNST School Council plays a vital role and is elected each year. It provides advice on behalf of parents to the principal. The Aboriginal Community Advisory Committee is composed of First Nations, Métis, Inuit Elders and community members, and is an important forum for parent and community advocacy. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/AboriginalAdvisoryCommittee

Additional Features

For a list of all programs that are also offered visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Findyour/Schools.aspx?schno=5360&schoolId=1314

Student Life - Where You Belong

Through the Nutrition Program the school offers daily a hot breakfast, morning and afternoon snack, and a hot lunch free to all students. This program has many positive effects for our students; academically, socially and emotionally. After breakfast, students bound into class full of positive energy, ready to learn. On a daily basis students are greeted warmly by the caring Nutrition Coordinator who not only

puts her heart into the role but also takes the time to listen to each student. The Coordinator regularly goes above and beyond to build trust and positive relationships by supporting each child holistically.

Through the nutrition programme, students are being educated about healthy eating practices that are building skills which will last a lifetime. With healthy meals served daily, students are able to focus their attention in class, show improved behaviour, and are better able to learn. For students of grades seven and eight, with written parent permission, they are allowed to leave school property for their lunch.

What Sets Us Apart

Most Fridays, and on special occassions, the school comes together in a "Big Circle" during the final period of the afternoon to celebrate their community. In the Big Circle, staff, students, and even parents sing songs, play drums and shakers, tell stories, and hear teachings about the values that are important to the school and to Aboriginal people. Song is carried by our Sun Spirit Drummers, Little Thunder Drum, and our Handdrummers.

Various extra-curricular programming is available to all students such as, hip hop and traditional hoop dancing, beading club, Boys Club, talent show, leadership club and many athletic teams, clubs and intra-murals.

Parent and Community Engagement

The Aboriginal Peacekeeper Unit of Metro Toronto Police Service provide safety presentations to various classes of the school. Native child and Family Services of Toronto occasionally provide in-class workshops or bring visiting elders to the school. They also co-lead the senior fieldtrip each year to Grundy Lake Provincial Park. First Nations School is continually strengthening and encouraging more parent involvement in school activities. Currently, the school has a School Advisory Council. The school

also has parent volunteers who assist in classrooms, run fundraising activities, help on field trips, and volunteer in the school's cafeteria.

Imagine a TDSB where all schools share a common core set of characteristics. They are community-driven and focused on teaching and learning. Students and parents have a wide variety of opportunities and there are enough students in every school to increase program choices.

Imagine there is a clear focus on achieving student success and every student is engaged, has a voice, access to a caring adult and the opportunity to develop their full potential.

Here at the TDSB our focus is on student achievement, parent and community engagement and financial stability.

Indigenous-led schools are a way to redress legacy of residential schools: Educator

Leaders of Toronto's first Indigenous cultural school say institutions like theirs are a way to redress the injustices and legacies of the residential school system in Canada.

Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School has been around since the 1970s and administrators say its restorative impact cannot be overstated.

“This is a redress to the legacy of the Indian residential school system [which] I don’t call it a school at all. It was a system of genocide,” Tanya Senk, Toronto School Board District’s superintendent of Indigenous education, told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday, referring to the ongoing discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential school sites.

Senk called schools like Kâpapâmahchakwêw an “opportunity for young people to recuperate and pick up their Indigenous knowledges in a traditional and contemporary context in creative and imaginative ways.”

She told CTVNews.ca that there are only a few other schools like Kâpapâmahchakwêw across the country and that more of them should be established.

The lack of Indigenous history, culture and ideas in school curriculums is a long-standing issue in Canada, with educators from across the board flagging the need for change . They say the spirit of truth and reconciliation means all students should be learning about Indigenous peoples at a young age and be taught “the big picture,” which includes systemic racism and the legacy of practices such as the residential school system.

Some of those educators have sought to introduce those ideas formally in elementary, secondary or post-secondary curriculums, while others provide workshops for teachers to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into specific subjects, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes.

At Kâpaâmahchakwêw, the Ojibwe language and Indigenous cultures, values and traditions -- particularly from the Anishinaabe perspective -- are “interwoven” through the curriculum, which is taught by Indigenous educators, elders, and knowledge keepers.

Caregivers, staff and students even all join in a big drum circle every Friday, where they share teachings and accolades for one another.

Senk said everything they do provides “an opportunity for them to stand tall in who they are in their indigeneity.”

The school, which boasts 180 students, was founded in 1977 by elder Pauline Shirt and the late elder Vern Harper, who were looking for a safer school that nurtured the Indigenous identity for their own child.

For the majority of its history, the school was an elementary school, catering to students from kindergarten to Grade 8. In 2017, it also became a secondary school and, just this past month, the school held its first high school graduation for close to 50 senior students.

“It was great because many of the students had been there since kindergarten and had the opportunity to know who they are as young Indigenous people, and their place in the world, and the contributions that they can make to the rest of Canada as we know it.”

Although some of its courses are directly from the Ontario Ministry of Education’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit studies curriculum, which is taught across the province, at Kâpapâmahchakwêw Wandering Spirit, older cohorts also learn about Indigenous topics such as restorative justice , which places the emphasis on healing the harm done by the offence and rehabilitation of the offender.

Senk said this idea of broadly incorporating Indigenous understandings in Canadian society will be crucial in tackling challenging issues in the coming decades.

“It will be Indigenous knowledges that will be the way forward when we think about climate change and sustainability.”

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Sask. man charged with attempted murder after firing at police

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Saskatoon park walkway closes after sustaining structural damage in fire

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Northern Ontario

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A section of Highway 401 near Dorchester, Ont. is closing for construction. Here's when

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Tecumseh, Ont. trucker sentenced in crash that killed 4-year-old girl

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Police investigate fire that forced Barrie high school to close for several days

Students at St. Joseph's Catholic High School in Barrie will not be able to return to school for several days after a fire on Wednesday.

Driver charged with stunt driving for excessive speed on County Road 27

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Closing arguments presented at Wasaga Beach trailer park assault trial

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'Biggest event in years' is coming to downtown Detroit. Here’s what you need to know:

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Vancouver Island

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2 men injured after 'road rage' incident with Dodge Ram driver, Kelowna RCMP say

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Sault Ste. Marie

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Local Spotlight

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Entertainment

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Call to action # 62: education for reconciliation (62-65), kâpapâmahchakwêw, wandering spirt school.

Kâpapâmahchakwêw, Wandering Spirt school, part of the Toronto District School Board, celebrates its first graduates. Welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2107, added Grade 10 in 2018, Grade 11 in 2019 and Grade 12 in 2020. The school integrates values, language and culture into the curriculum. “Indigenous perspectives are also centered in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, medicine and design classes

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New biographies, minor corrections, biography of the day.

d. 11 April 1890 in Lewarne, Cornwall, England

Confederation

Responsible government, sir john a. macdonald, from the red river settlement to manitoba (1812–70), sir wilfrid laurier, sir george-étienne cartier, the fenians, women in the dcb/dbc.

Winning the Right to Vote

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Introductory essays of the dcb/dbc, the acadians, for educators.

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KAPAPAMAHCHAKWEW (Papamahchakwayo, Wandering Spirit , occasionally known as Esprit Errant), war chief of a band of Plains Cree; b. c. 1845; d. 27 Nov. 1885 by hanging at Battleford (Sask.). He was survived by at least one daughter.

From the fragmentary evidence concerning Wandering Spirit’s earlier life, he seems to have been the ideal Plains Cree warrior. In appearance he was tall and lithe with an arresting countenance distinguished by large piercing eyes, a long straight nose, and thick curly hair. His voice had a smooth, velvet quality and though usually soft could rise to ringing tones. A member of the band that followed Big Bear [ Mistahimaskwa ], he attained the prestigious position of war chief, an office separate from the social chieftainship held by Big Bear, as a result of his daring battle exploits. He was reputed to have killed between 11 and 13 warriors of the Blackfeet, hereditary enemies of the Crees – more than any other member of the band. His unique war bonnet was made of a whole lynx skin looped double with the head fixed to the tail, open at the top, and decorated with five eagle plumes. As war chief, Wandering Spirit was also head of the warrior society, especially important during the summer hunts and festivities. Among its functions were policing the tribal camps, keeping guard against enemies, and carrying out special duties in connection with the buffalo hunt.

For warriors such as Wandering Spirit the collapse of the Plains Cree way of life in the 1870s, resulting from the disappearance of the buffalo and the signing of the treaties, engendered particular bitterness and despair. The band of dissidents who gathered around Big Bear tried to resist the new order but eventually starvation forced them to adhere to Treaty no.6 in December 1882. During the winter of 1884–85 Big Bear’s destitute band camped in the vicinity of the small settlement of Frog Lake (Alta), which was an agency for the Department of Indian Affairs and a Roman Catholic mission. Resentful of Indian agent Thomas Trueman Quinn’s strict enforcement of the “no work, no ration” policy, militants such as Wandering Spirit grew increasingly hostile. The band had, in fact, been exposed to the ideas of Louis Riel , whom they had met in Montana in the early 1880s when they had been following the remaining buffalo herds. Riel urged that through concerted action the Métis and the Indians could drive the Canadians from their country and regain their freedom and independence. The signal for action came in late March 1885 with the news that the Métis had risen and routed the North-West Mounted Police at Duck Lake (Sask.). By this time, Big Bear was powerless to prevent Wandering Spirit and the other warriors from attacking Frog Lake.

Early on the morning of 2 April the 12 whites and mixed bloods at Frog Lake were rounded up while the Indians ransacked the stores of the Hudson’s Bay Company post and the police barracks. Quinn’s defiant refusal to proceed to the Indian camp with the other prisoners so infuriated Wandering Spirit that he shot him and then shouted for the death of all whites, most of whom were killed within a few minutes. Nine men died. Only the two women, Theresa Gowanlock [ Johnson* ] and Theresa Delaney, and William Bleasdell Cameron* , an HBC employee, were spared.

Wandering Spirit played a prominent role in subsequent events. His hatred of the Canadian government and its agents, the police, was manifest in his speeches prior to the fall of Fort Pitt (Sask.) in mid April: “We are tired of him [the government] and all his people and we are going to drive them out of the country.” Only Big Bear’s intervention at Fort Pitt prevented another violent outburst, which might have resulted in the deaths of the white captives, whom Wandering Spirit rightly suspected of sowing dissension between the Plains Crees and their reluctant Wood Cree allies. As Big Bear’s band began to move toward Poundmaker [ Pītikwahanapiwīyin ] at Battleford, the war chief worked actively to heal the breach and therefore held a Thirst Dance near Frenchman Butte (Sask.). When the advance of Major-General Thomas Bland Strange* ’s forces interrupted the ceremony, Wandering Spirit rallied the camp for war and entrenched his men in rifle pits in a strategic position on Frenchman Butte. During the battle of 28 May, Wandering Spirit evinced good generalship as he “moved up and down the rifle-pits, haranguing his warriors, buoying up their courage,” and they repelled General Strange’s attack.

As the Indians withdrew to the north after this inconclusive engagement, a dramatic change seems to have come over Wandering Spirit. The war chief sought refuge with the Wood Crees, who had seized an opportunity to desert Big Bear shortly after the battle. According to one account Wandering Spirit had experienced such traumas that within a few months his hair had turned almost white. In any case, burdened with remorse at the havoc he had wreaked, he attempted to atone for his actions by trying to commit suicide as the Wood Crees came in to surrender at Fort Pitt. He later explained to Cameron: “I knew there was no hope for me. Perhaps, I thought, if I sacrificed myself the government would not be so hard on the rest.” Wandering Spirit did not die from his self-inflicted chest wound but was carried by stretcher to Battleford to stand trial.

The trials of the Crees arrested for their action at Frog Lake were short, and, in retrospect, justice seems to have been arbitrarily dispensed. None of the Indians was given legal counsel; all were tried by stipendiary magistrate Charles-Borromée Rouleau* . Wandering Spirit admitted that he shot Quinn, but refused to explain his actions. On 22 September he was summarily sentenced to hang. The next person found guilty of murder was Paypamakeesit (Round the Sky), who was accused of shooting Father Léon-Adélard Fafard after the latter was wounded by Wandering Spirit. According to one account, Paypamakeesit, who had been cared for by the priest, was provoked into the shooting by the taunts of his comrades, but no evidence of this nature was presented in court. On 3 October Kittimakegin (Miserable Man) and Manachoos (Bad Arrow) were tried for the murder of Charles Gouin. Both pleaded not guilty, and Miserable Man asked Cameron to back his alibi that he had been in the HBC store at the time of the murder. Cameron, however, who loathed Miserable Man, had already helped secure for the crown testimony of Indian witnesses claiming that Wandering Spirit had ordered Bad Arrow to shoot Gouin and that Miserable Man had also shot him. The case against Apaschiskoos (Little Bear) and Nabpace (Iron Body) for the murder of George Dill appears in retrospect unconvincing: Iron Body was convicted on the evidence of Little Bear, who was then also convicted of the killing, but both stoutly denied that they had fired the fatal shot and Iron Body maintained that an Indian who had escaped custody had shot Dill. It seems that the federal government was determined to make an example of these Indians. When the cases were reviewed by the minister of justice, John Sparrow David Thompson* , no mitigating circumstances were taken into consideration and the death sentences were upheld.

Wandering Spirit, morosely silent throughout his imprisonment, granted Cameron an interview the day before his execution. He regretted having believed that the Indians could resist the encroachments of the whites and restore the old way of life. The proud war chief declared he was not afraid to die, but he begged that he not be buried with the humiliating ball and chain which shackled him. As the eight Indians stood on the scaffold, Wandering Spirit was the only one who had no last words. While some of the others shouted war cries and defiance of the whites, Wandering Spirit, according to legend, softly chanted a love song to his wife. The bodies were buried in a common grave, later covered by an unmarked concrete slab.

Sylvia M. Van Kirk

PAC, RG 13, C1, 1421. The Frog Lake ‘massacre’: personal perspectives on ethnic conflict , ed. Stuart Hughes (Toronto, 1976). Stanley, Birth of western Canada . R. S. Allen, “Big Bear,” Saskatchewan Hist . (Saskatoon), 25 (1972): 1–17. D. G. Mandelbaum, “The Plains Cree,” American Museum of Natural Hist., Anthropological Papers (New York), 37 (1941): 155–316.

General Bibliography

Image Gallery

Document history.

Published 1982

Occupations and Other Identifiers

Indigenous – First Nations – Cree

Region of Activities

North America – Canada – Alberta
North America – Canada – Saskatchewan

Related Biographies

MISTAHIMASKWA (Big Bear, Gros Ours)

STRANGE, THOMAS BLAND

ROULEAU, CHARLES-BORROMÉE

FAFARD, LÉON-ADÉLARD

THOMPSON, Sir JOHN SPARROW DAVID

PĪTIKWAHANAPIWĪYIN (Poundmaker)

RIEL, LOUIS (1844-85)

JOHNSON, THERESA MARY

DICKENS, FRANCIS JEFFREY

MIDDLETON, Sir FREDERICK DOBSON

McLEAN, WILLIAM JAMES

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23 Things to Do in Moscow, Russia

Please note: this article was originally written in 2015. I’m updating this in 2022 to state that — for obvious reasons — you should not be travelling to Russia at this time. If you are in Russia, you should leave immediately.

As the capital of the largest country on earth, Moscow is also larger than life. In a city adorned with palaces straight out of a fairytale, you won’t be shocked that even the metro system is full of opulent art.

At the center of Moscow is the iconic Red Square, home to the Kremlin and the spiritual heart of the city. But as you wander, the storied streets guide you to marvelous sites from ancient cathedrals to royal estates, the summer havens of the Tsars.

Wherever you look, you can see the footprints of old Russia, the Bolshevik Revolution and Stalin. Connecting all three is a rich culture, exceptional theater and a vibrant nightlife.

Explore the Red Square

There’s so many layers to the story of Moscow that it can feel overwhelming. There’s really only one place to start this adventure, and that’s at the Red Square. Streaming out of the square is each of Moscow’s major streets, like ventricles feeding the rest of the body. It’s easy to see why this is both the historical and cultural centrepiece of the city.

The Red Square is home to several of the top landmarks in Moscow, from Lenin’s Mausoleum and the State Historical Museum to the iconic Kremlin. In times of victory and defeat, this has been the point of congregation for the community even when it lacked its modern day splendor back in the 15 th century.

On regular days, there remains a fantastic atmosphere in Red Square as locals come and go and tourists explore with wide eyes. Although you’ll find ample stunning sites, you may be surprised to know that there’s only a single statue in the historic square. This statue shows Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, who defeated the Polish invasion in 1612.

See St. Basil’s Cathedral

One of the most eye-catching sights in Red Square is St. Basil’s Cathedral. Its colorful onion domes stand atop a church of incredible variations. The cathedral was built in the 1500s under the request of Ivan the Terrible. The architects were Barma and Postnik who essentially combined nine different styles of churches, chapels and domes into one spectacular work of art.

As the legend goes, the architects were later made blind by Ivan the Terrible. This was so they couldn’t recreate the sheer magnificence of St. Basil’s. Under the early morning sunlight (or at dusk) the orange colors shine brightly, as if the cathedral was a grand bonfire accented by streaks of green, yellow and blue.

It’s hard to imagine from the outside that St. Basil’s interior is exceptionally small. There are nine individual chapels that are intimately decorated with frescoes and icons, both of which lead your eyes up to the soaring domes above.

Go on a River Cruise

After visiting the Red Square, turn your attention to the Moscow River. A great way to take in the city’s sites is from the water, which offers a unique and quiet perspective away from the crowds. Public transport on the river will return in 2022, with the schedule increasing year by year.

The Moscow River and its surrounding canals feature almost 50 bridges and showcase the city in a way that few can duplicate. A popular station for river transport can be found alongside Gorky Park. From the dock, you’ll head north through the heart of the city with the Red Square and all its highlights floating by on the left bank. Before the river swings and heads south towards the Danilovsky District.

While exploring the city on the Moscow River is a great way to see the sights and get around, it’s easy to turn it into a romantic experience. Moscow is even more spectacular under the evening light, something you can discover on a luxury river cruise.

Visit the Bolshoi Theatre

Within the illustrious city center, you’ll find grand architecture and history, with one of the best examples being the Neoclassical Bolshoi Theatre. The breathtaking six-tier hall is one of the oldest ballet and opera houses in all of Europe.

Each renovation has remained faithful to the original design, allowing the grandeur of the Bolshoi Theatre to remain as it has since 1824. Catching a show here is one of the best things to do in Moscow, even if ballet or opera has never been your speed. The rigorous passion on display transcends fandom and will have you on the edge of your seat.

Some of the classic shows at the Bolshoi Theatre include Francesca da Rimini by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa. Both iconic shows premiered right here. After entering the theater, take time to appreciate the opulence on display, from the multi-tiered chandelier to the gilded accents and red velvet walls. It’s grandiosity will have you ready for a night of high culture.

Spend Time at Tretyakov Gallery

The Tretyakov Gallery may have begun as a private collection among the Tretyakov brothers, but it has grown to be the most significant museum of Russian fine art on earth. The gallery is now home to well over 130,000 exhibits, including several iconic paintings known the world over.

Near to Red Square, the Tretyakov Gallery comprises an old and new building. The former is home to works dating back to the 11 th century, with the new building featuring contemporary and modern art. Some of the most renowned pieces include The Trinity, by Andrei Rublev and the Vladimir Mother of God, which is almost 1000 years old. While you could spend a number of hours admiring the worlds of Ilya Repin, a celebrated Russian realist painter.

Surrounding the Tretyakov Gallery are several sculptures to complement the experience. None more striking than the 280-foot (86m) statue of Peter the Great.

Roam the Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin is an enormous complex whose sheer scale can only be appreciated from within its ancient walls. It’s the most recognizable landmark in Moscow, as it has been since opening in the 15 th century. Since that day, the Kremlin has gone onto be the home for a series of Tsars before becoming the official residence for the president of the Russian Federation.

Major government leaders may live elsewhere, but if anything, that lowers the red tape and opens up more of the grand palace. The Kremlin covers over 105,000 square miles (275,000 sq. km) and is surrounded by fortress walls. As you wander, it’s easy to place yourself in eras past as you gaze upon several opulent cathedrals, spellbinding palaces, and the ancient Armoury.

The Armoury produced and stored weapons for centuries until in was converted into a museum in the early 19 th century. You can now explore the history of Russian, Western European and Asian weaponry along with resplendent works by jewelers and goldsmiths, including the museum’s Faberge egg.

Pay a Visit to Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin was the founder and leader of Soviet Russia and eventually the Soviet Union. He remained in power until the day he died. Shortly after his passing, the mausoleum was created in Red Square. It was only supposed to be for a short period, but such was the popularity of the leader that Lenin has remained on display ever since.

He was removed from his original tomb into a permanent sarcophagus that now holds a central spot in the Red Square. The marble stairs that flank the mausoleum have also taken on a life of their own, as the spot for leaders to watch the many events that take place in the famed square.

Almost a century removed from his passing, Lenin’s Mausoleum is still a popular attraction with regular lines to enter. But it’s well worth the wait for an eerie experience as you cross paths with the revolutionary leader, who lays peacefully within a bullet proof chamber.

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

A few blocks from the colorful St. Basil’s is a no less opulent, but even more significant cathedral. The first Cathedral of Christ the Savior was demolished under the order of Stalin in the 1930s. He had plans to build the tallest skyscraper on earth, a dream that was later scrapped as the grounds became home to the massive Moscow Pool. This makes the new iteration, built in 2000, the youngest of the city’s many incredible churches.

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior has the classic onion domes atop what is the largest Orthodox church on earth. From the front, paved paths lined with lamp posts guide you towards the cathedral. From there you can appreciate the magnificence of its huge facade, featuring golden accents, archways and spires. As you wander inside, you’ll be taken aback by the mosaic floors, grand altar and intricate paintings.

From the back of the church, admire the impressive Bolshoy Kammeny Bridge along with views of Red Square and Gorky Park.

Spend a Day at Gorky Park

Speaking of, head across the beautiful bridge and make your way to the city’s top park. Gorky Park is an expansive green area that runs along the banks of the Moscow River. It’s the biggest in the city, with something to offer for solo travelers, couples and families alike.

In the summer months, locals flock to Gorky Park in the evenings and on the weekends, where you’ll find all sorts of entertainment. In the morning hours, stumble upon yoga classes and dance lessons before joggers and cyclists arrive in equal numbers. If you have time, get about on foot to appreciate the manicured gardens along the walking path that guides you to Sparrow Hill. From the top, you can bask in exquisite views of the Moscow skyline.

Gorky Park is also home to the Muzeon Art Park, where you’ll find an unusual collection of over 700 sculptures. At night, Gorky Park plays host to an outdoor movie theater while live music is also a common treat.

Patriarshiye Prudy

A traditional home for artists and poets, Patriarshiye Prudy is a bohemian neighborhood with an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars. Tucked away from the downtown, Patriarch Ponds is quieter than much of Moscow, yet remains an exciting pace to be. The charming ponds have been referenced in endless poems and depicted in notable pieces of art. You could spend a quaint morning watching the sun rise over the glistening water, which slowly begins the reflect the many beautiful buildings that surround the park. While in winter, the pond freezes, turning into a popular and scenic ice rink.

Along the surrounding streets you’ll discover one of Moscow’s foodie hotspots, with plenty of cozy cafes serving tasty treats and popular Uruguayan steak houses. As primarily a residential neighborhood, you’ll find the tables have turned. Away from the Red Square, visitors will enjoy a look into everyday life, while enjoying some of the best hospitality in town.

Take the Moscow Metro

It’s not in every city that you’ll want to explore the metro. But as we know by now, very few cities are like Moscow. The local subway system was developed under Stain in the 1930s, making them one of the oldest in the world. In typical Stalin fashion, each station is unique, with its own layer of grandeur.

Akin to underground palaces, each station is an attraction making getting around Moscow on the metro an aesthetically pleasing experience. Some of the top stations include Arbatskaya, which features striking bronze chandeliers and granite slabs. While Park Kutlury, next to Gorky park is laden with marble. The stops immediately surrounding Red Square are also easy on the eyes.

On a metro tour, you’ll visit the best 9 metro stations in the city and discover how and why they’re as beautiful as any famous landmark in Moscow.

Walk Down Old Arbat Street

After walking out of Arbatskaya metro station, you’ll find yourself in one of the most hip parts of Moscow. Arbat Street began as a prominent trading route on the outer edges of Moscow. But from those days in the 1400s to now, the city has expanded greatly to the point Arbat Street feels like the center of town.

The historic street is lined with lamp posts backed by upscale buildings harboring chic bars and hip cafes. One of the latter being a popular spot for Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov to hang back in the day. But Old Arbat Street isn’t just famous for those two luminaries, it has long been a haven for artists and poets, including Alexander Pushkin and Bulat Okudzhava, whose statue is found along the pedestrianized street.

Once you’ve completed the mile-long walk, cross over the New Arbat Street where tourism and modern culture collide. Wander through antique shops or watch the street artists play live music or draw humorous caricatures.

Enjoy the Views from the Ostankino TV Tower

For the best views in the city, it’s hard to pass up an experience at the Ostankino TV Tower. The building was completed in 1967 and including the antenna spire it stands at over 1,770 feet (540m) tall. This makes the TV Tower the tallest in Russia and one of the tallest structures in the world.

Visitors can make their way to the observation deck 1,115 feet (340m) above the ground for expansive views of the entirety of Moscow. But to really get your heart racing, sign up for the glass floor experience that will have you feel like you’re flying over a thousand feet above the ground. Turn your trip into date night by reserving a table at the tower’s revolving restaurant. As you eat, the tower rotates 360 degrees, completing a full circle three times every hour.

Make your experience at the Ostankino TV Tower a breeze by getting Moscow’s hop-on hop-off bus pass that not only stops here, but all the top attractions around the city.

Explore the Tsaritsyno Palace

30 minutes on the train from the center of Moscow, Tsaritsyno Palace was once the home of Catherine the Great. The building first opened in 1775 and its lavish palace is surrounded by expansive grounds covering more than 400 acres.

The palace itself is predictably eye-catching. Its warm velvet bricks make way for towering arches and spires. To the left and right are musical fountains and its interior decor has undergone a complete refurbishment to bring it back to its heyday. As you wander through the palace, you’ll discover embellished staircases that lead to grand halls where royal meetings and parties took place.

Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum, and alongside the storied halls you’ll find several fascinating exhibits. These explore the life and times of Catherine the Great, along with the history of the building. Other highlights include the palace’s own opera house. Afterwards, take a tour of the lush grounds and historic ruins.

Wander Through the VDNKh

What began as an exhibition has grown exponentially to become one of the top parks in Moscow. VDNKh opened in the 1930s as the host of an agricultural event. But in the decades since it continues to be improved upon. It’s now home to over 400 structures, from fountains to museums.

The expansive complex blurs the line between a park and open-air exhibit, with beautiful gardens punctuated by intricate architecture. As you wander around, you’ll find pavilions that represent former Soviet nations along with ample space to sit and admire the amazing Friendship of Nations Fountain.

Two major attractions in VDNKh are the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, which celebrates the Russian space experience along with the city’s aquarium. But perhaps the park’s best feature is its lively atmosphere. As a common meeting point for Moscovians, you’ll find restaurants in abundance, the largest skate park in Europe, horseback riding and even the chance to zipline across the complex.

Experience the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

As you explore the VDNKh, save plenty of time to visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. While we all remember the moon landing in 1969, it’s easy to forget that Russia actually sent the first man into space. While the “Space Race” was an enormous factor in the Cold War between Russia and the U.S.

The museum is unmissable, thanks to its towering titanium pillar, affixed with its own rocket. It celebrates the story of Russian space exploration, from sending Yuri Gagarin into space to developing the sputnik. Visitors will be able to gaze upon the first suits worn in outer space and full sized rockets.

On this private tour, you can learn more about the Cold War and the Space Race that fueled human ambition and lead to incredible feats. Your personal guide will meet at your hotel, where you’ll learn even more about the historic metro on your way to VDNKh. From there, receive valuable insight into the complex before taking a deep dive into Russia’s space exploration.

Shop ‘Til You Drop at GUM

After several days of jumping between cathedrals, parks and palaces, you may be seeking a little retail therapy. If you’re ready to take a break from architectural marvels and embark on some browsing, then make a beeline for GUM. The mall stands for main universal store and is your one stop shop for fashion in Moscow.

You’ll have your choice of over 200 shops, from local boutiques to high-end international brands, meaning you can literally shop ‘til you drop. When you do, you’ll find a great selection of upscale restaurants within the mall, so you don’t have to settle for a regular food court. To save time, head to the Soviet-style canteen for authentic local food.

Bored partners can say goodbye to their loved one and explore the historic mall, which opened in 1893. In keep with the times, it’s starkly different to your typical stale mall with its grand facades and overhanging glass roof that features 20,000 panels.

See the Novodevichy Convent

On the banks of the Moscow River, the Novodevichy Convent is a captivating monastery from the 16 th century. Once a prominent fortress, the convent features five domed cathedrals and a marvelous bell tower. Surrounded by historic walls and a series of guard towers, are lush grounds where former leaders once roamed.

Thanks to its preservation (its last major renovation was in the 1600s), it’s easy to step back to those hallowed eras when the Novodevichy Convent was a hub of activity. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can explore the impressive Smolensky Cathedral, whose interior decor rivals any in Moscow.

In the 1600s, more chapels were added and feature distinct Muscovite Baroque architecture. But joining them all together is the 236-foot (72m) bell tower that was the tallest structure is Moscow upon completion.

Enjoy a Culinary Walking Tour

Russia may be known more for its vodka than food, but no time in Moscow would be complete without exploring the local cuisine. Russian cuisine differs from much of Europe, owing to the diversity of a country that balances the pull of the West and East at the same time.

Modern Russian cuisine is very much an example of what was available to everyday people throughout the eras. As you explore the city, you’ll discover a range of dough-based dishes such as pies, rolls and blini, not to mention plenty of dumplings. Owing to its Orthodox heritage, there is also a great range of vegetarian dishes.

Meat dishes in Russia are a particular treat and this is because it was often prepared during the holidays. These celebratory recipes have been passed down through the generations and now form a part of everyday cuisine.

You can learn all about Russian cuisine as you sample local flavors on a food tasting tour.

Explore an Old Royal Estate at Kolomenskoye

From the 1300s to the Bolshevik Revolution, the Tsars and prominent members of Russian society spent their summers at the Kolomenskoye Estate. Covering 300 hectares, several adorned palaces and a 16 th century cathedral, the estate is now an expansive open-air museum.

Just out of downtown Moscow, uncover an abundance of history as you roam the famed grounds with views of the Moscow River. Within Kolomenskoye Estate, there are four significant sites that make up the museum. These include the captivating Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Such was the esteem held by the palace that it was seen as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

From the fairytale-like palace, explore the beautiful Church of the Ascension before making your way to Golosov Ovrag, known to be a portal into another dimension. Around the grounds, there are several spacious lawns to later sit back and take in the incredible sights.

Visit the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

A Romantic era playwright, poet and author, Alexander Pushkin, is one of the foremost historical figures in Russia. A man who is also known as the father of the modern Russian language. Despite these storied achievements, he has zero connection to the Museum of Fine Arts that carries his name.

However, all art lovers should make their way to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, which hosts an expansive collection of European art. The museum is broken up into eras, including French Impressionism, the Dutch Golden Age and the Renaissance. Highlights include works by iconic luminaries such as Rembrandt, Botticelli and van Gogh. Along with Cezanne’s “Mardi Gras” and the “Young Acrobat on a Ball”, by the one and only Picasso.

After paying a visit to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, wander across the street and find the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Join Locals at the Izmailovsky Market

When you think of the Moscow Kremlin, your mind immediately shifts to the landmark within Red Square. However, kremlin simply means fortress. In fact, you’ll visit many kremlins as you explore the city. One that stands out more than most is Izmailovo.

Its fairytale setting looks like something straight out of a Disney film. Here, old Russian architecture collides with modern culture. The colorful buildings may very well be as captivating as any in Moscow. Beneath the resplendent spires and kaleidoscopic roofs is the best market in town.

Many travelers flock to New Arbat Street to pick up souvenirs, including the famed Russian dolls. But the Izmailovsky Market is less of a tourist trap while remaining kinder to your wallet. Within the kremlin is an enormous bazaar teeming with merchants selling high quality Russian dolls. If you’ve wandered down Arbat, you’ll quickly notice the difference. Among the dolls, you’ll discover a wide range of goods, such as traditional costumes, handcrafted chess sets, and plenty of memorabilia. Finish by wandering down the aisle of delectable street food.

Experience the Nightlife

Moscow’s nightlife goes into the early hours of the morning. For those seeking a night out on the town, you’ll have an endless list of bars and clubs to choose from. Patriashiye Prudy is one of the top nightlife hubs in Moscow. Here, you’ll find a row of casual bars and cocktail joints along with some smaller nightclubs, including the popular Clava.

Red October is a huge string of red-brick factories that are now home to some of the best and exclusive nightclubs in the city. One not to be missed is Gypsy, a rooftop club with beautiful nighttime views of Moscow skyline.

Keep in mind that most clubs have strict dress codes. Be sure to tick all the boxes before lining up in the cue.

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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30 comments.

I loved Moscow – but then I’ve been obsessed with Russia for years and had a much calmer start to my time there than you! I have to admit that it’s not nearly as nice as the rest of Russia (is it just me or does everything seem a lot greyer in Moscow?), but it was definitely interesting. Apparently they’re considering taking Lenin out soon as his family want him buried, so hopefully you’ll get to go back and see him some day – and have a much better trip!

I’d been to St Petersburg before and I enjoyed it SO much more than Moscow. Awww no, I have to see dead Lenin!

Maybe some Russian vodka would’ve helped?

I find that getting lost is always a bit more entertaining when there is vodka involved…

Hahahaha, I’ll bear that in mind for the next time I get lost :-)

YES ITS JUST YOU!!!Of course moscow isnt for everybody (naive american backpackers)

*naive English backpacker.

hee hee…nice! :)

oh no! Sounds aweful! I am really looking foeward to seeing Russia

I’m sure you’ll have a great time! I LOVED St Petersberg, but just found that Moscow was not for me.

Come on now Lauren! You shouldn’t be judging a destination so quickly! You need to give it a few days to explore, soak up the culture, meet the people. Although, I feel this way about Barcelona. 4 days, and I just don’t see how its everyone’s favourite city in Spain. I think I have to go back and try again to see what’s so magical.

I know… I can’t help it! I decide if I like a place pretty much within a few hours. Maybe one day I’ll go back and give it another chance.

And I LOVE Barcelona!

It’s totally fair to judge a city by your first impression of it! I do it allll the time (both abroad and in my own country).

I do it all the time, too, but know I probably shouldn’t!

I love those Russian hats. What an interesting place to visit.

I love the hats too — I bought one the last time I was in Russia!

Sorry you had a bad time–some days are just like that wherever you are. And the hat’s a keeper anyway.

Feel free to contact me next time you’re going to visit Moscow if you’re looking for an unforgettable journey. )

I loooove Moscow!

I think there are a few reasons why you didn’t enjoy your time there. Well, first, 24 hours is not a whole lot of time to explore Moscow. There’s SO MUCH to see and impossible to see the majority of it in a day. Also, I’m sure you just wanted to relax for a bit and if you’re new to Russia and do not speak Russian… then that’s probably not going to happen.

In my experience, I found very little English speaking Russians and over all, they wern’t very helpful and often glared at me, lol. And yeah, taxis (both official and unofficial taxis) over charge foreigners. You have to basically fight with them to get a good price… but It’s hard to do that if you don’t speak Russian.

So I can see how the trip was super frustrating and not really enjoyed.

If you knew a little Russian or had a friend to help you around, I am POSITIVE you would have enjoyed yourself so much more!

Moscow is certainly my #1 city thus far. I even love it more than Vienna! Then again, I knew a little Russian, spent the weekend there with my Russian friends, and got to see much of the city.

Hmmm, maybe go back again on a relaxed journey?

We spent a week in Moscow back in March of 2013. We found a great apartment on Tverskaya Street just 150 meters from Red Square. People asked us why in the world would we go to Moscow in March (we found an airfare error and jumped on it), but in hindsight I wouldn’t want it any other way. Red Square, the National Historical Museum, St. Basil’s, Novodevichy Convent, etc, were incredibly beautiful in the snow (plus, I imagine all the dirt and grime is covered in the winter also). I probably won’t go back to Moscow, but definitely recommend it to all my friends, but only in the winter. If/when I return to Russia, I think it will be to Saint Petersburg, but that is a city I want to visit in the summer.

Thanks for sharing, Terry!

Your post made me laugh! I have been to both Moscow and St Petersburg and enjoyed both. Much preferred Moscow as we were lucky to stay with friends who’d been living there for a couple of years and they knew good local restaurants to visit and gave us lots of advice. Dead Lenin was also a highlight! St Petersburg, while beautiful, seemed more like a museum than a living city to me. We had a guide and were very carefully steered to all the main attractions and away from “real” Russian life. I find it a fascinating country but it’s not exactly relaxing to travel in. I’ve just discovered your blog, so look forward to reading more.

Thanks, Sandy! Happy you enjoyed my post! I can’t believe it’s been four years since I visited Moscow.

Had the same experience today. 16h connection used for doing a selfie in the red square . the impression from the city is exactly the same as yours. I won’t come back . The red square area is impressing , the snow is nice and there’s kind of Christmas atmosphere , but I felt this city is just a mix of bad things I’ve seen in other cities – big brand empty shops with poor people outside as in Beijing , traffic as Bangkok , prices as London , neglected as East Berlin , Heavy guarded as Jerusalem , cold as Kiev .

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Boten! I’d like to revisit Moscow one day to see if my opinions have changed, but it’s been six years since I was last there, so I guess I’m not making a huge effort right now!

Is it just you? If it’s anything like my experiences there, then yes and no, lol.

I’m a graduate of my uni’s Russian Studies program, and the first two trips I took to Russia, I have to admit I was miserable for the first 3 days or so after I got there. And that’s with knowing the language (and the cyrillic on the metro signs), so without would be understandably harder.

In my experience, Russia (and in particular, Moscow) can feel like a very unwelcoming place to arrive in, especially if you’re alone. People don’t smile at you in shops or on the street, speech and mannerisms can feel startlingly brusque if you’re not used to it, the weather can be harsh, even the smells all around you can be new and disorienting (a mix of indoor-smoking and iron and stone from the ubiquitous stairways). I think all those factors can subconsciously cause your mood to do some swan dives in the first few days, even if in your conscious mind you’re excited to be there.

As you noted with the hostel, there’s also sometimes a weird mix of impossibly complex bureaucracy and surprisingly huge margin of error, which can seriously make anyone visiting (and all the more so people who have to live there with it year-round) feel extremely frustrated and helpless.

On top of all that, there’s a strange mix of affluence and desolation pretty much all around you, both of which can feel hostile and off-putting when you’re looking for somewhere to settle in and combat jet-lag, homesickness, anxieties, or anything else you’re dealing with.

To be fair, a lot of people also simply hate Moscow. People who are from Russia, but from somewhere far away from the capital, often also find it cold and uninteresting. So it could be that you’re just not a fan, which is obviously fine too.

If you do go back though, having a longer time to hang out and explore could help. I sometimes have a hard time recommending what to do and see in Moscow, because honestly my favourite thing to do there is just to exist and spend time. In the summer it’s nice to get a snack from a cafe or grocery store and sit in one of the parks or by the river, or walk down the winding streets and happen upon a walled monastery with a little door in it that takes into into another world of incense and candles. Or use Moscow as a base, and take local electric trains to nearby sites with views of the countryside along the way. In the winter, take shelter in a cafe like Cafe Margarita (my favourite spot in Moscow, if not the world) where you can cuddle a cup of tea and listen to a trio of violins and a piano; or take the glorious metro system to the Izmaylovsky Market, and trudge through the snow among rows upon rows of vendors and old folks gathered around a fire playing chess.

It’s a daunting place, and to some people it’s not necessarily worth it. To me, even though when I first arrived I would have gladly accepted the first ticket someone had offered me out of there, I ended up finding a lot that I liked – but more importantly, I felt like for me it just took time to start feeling okay there.

Thank you so much for leaving such a helpful comment, Emma!

After spending two months studying in Moscow I am so sad you had such a horrible experience in my favorite city. Obviously, like Emma said already, Moscow is not for everyone. I urge you to revisit Moscow, and Russia in general, because they have modernized (and Anglicized) a lot in the past few years.

My favorite spots include Tsaritsyno Park (just a 5 minute walk from the Tsaritsyno station on the green metro line), Zurab Tseretali Musuem (the famous Georgian-Russian artist), and Strelka Bar (which overlooks the Moscow River and has great nighttime views of the city).

As for the metro, I have found the Moscow metro to be the easiest, most efficient metro I have ever used (NYC, Boston, Chicago, DC, and St. Petersburg included). The Moscow trains are typically now labeled both in Russian and in English. Also, most young Russians nowadays speak somewhat rudimentary English if you should ever need any assistance.

Like I said, Moscow may not have left you wanting more, but I encourage you to spend a little more time there if you are looking for a place steeped in history, full of culture, and teeming with amazingly hospitable people.

So sad to hear negative about my country. Your bad experience could happen in any place (I travel a lot, I know), don’t apply it to whole country. I live in beautiful Saint-Petersburg and invite you to show this place if you want. Travel with local friends and you avoid negative situations. Write me on email or instagram @filatov.aleksey (here you can see photos of my city) . Hope to be friends), hope to improve your meaning about Russia.

I love St Petersburg! :-)

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There are over 20 international schools in Moscow and the surrounding area, with 11 British schools , 3 IB schools in Moscow and 2 American schools . Most are English speaking and some are bi and multi-lingual. Read on to find out what the areas of Moscow are like and how they relate to some of the best Moscow international schools.

Life in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in Europe by area. It is also one of the most populous cities in the world with an estimated current population of more than 15 million within the city limits and 25 million within its metropolitan area. According to the 2019 Forbes List, Moscow is home to more billionaires than anywhere else in the world apart from New York and Hong Kong. Moscow has a rich cultural history and is well known for its unique and beautiful architecture, art, classical music and ballet. The city is easy to get around on foot or by public transport, although the metro gets very crowded during rush hour. The roads are very busy with frequent traffic jams. In recent years Moscow has become a real culinary capital with plenty of excellent restaurants coffee shops. It is a common misconception that Russians are unfriendly. In Russian culture it is unusual to smile at strangers. Most Russians are warm, sincere and honest and will give you a genuine smile once they get to know you.

Central Moscow

The prestigious district of Arbat is centrally located in the western part of the city and home to a number of embassies. It is a popular area rich in beautiful architecture and luxurious apartments.

The central, convenient and lively Tverskaya Street in the north westerly part of the city leads directly to Red Square and the Kremlin. There are, however, some quieter side streets, like Kamergersky Lane, with beautiful housing and an abundance of restaurants and cafés.

Patriarshiye Prudy

To the southern side of Tverskaya Street is the popular family area of Patriarshiye Prudy (Patriarch’s Ponds). This is a calm and quiet neighbourhood around a beautiful city park.

Basmanny District

To the east of the city centre is the Basmanny District, a clean, green neighbourhood considered to be a calm oasis in the heart of the city. This area is home to Chistye prudy (Clean Ponds), a popular park with paddle boats to rent in the Summer or ice skates in the Winter.

Tretyakov Gallery

Situated in the southern part of the city, the Tretyakov Gallery area is lively with plenty of upmarket bars and coffee shops. There are some quieter neighbourhoods off the main streets of Pyatnitskaya and Ordynka.

Outside the Garden Ring

Fruzenskaya area.

To the south west of the city, just outside the Garden Ring, is the Fruzenskaya embankment. This area is very leafy and green overlooking the Moscow River and Gorky Park. This area is popular with families but apartments are often quite small and expensive.

Leningradsky Prospekt

Leningradsky Prospekt is a busy avenue to the north west of the city that connects with the top of Tverskaya Street at its southern end. This quirky, bohemian area, famous for its Artist’s Village (Sokol area), is leafy and green with some remaining dachas (Russian country cottages).

Outer areas of Moscow

Botanical garden district.

Around 10 km to the north of the centre is the green district of Moscow’s Botanical Gardens, one of the largest in Europe, is a great place which boasts a valuable collection of rare plants while providing visitors with the opportunity to plunge into the world of nature without having to leave the city. It is also home to one of the most visited and favorite places of rest and entertainment for guests and residents of the capital - VDNHa - the Park, Exhibition and Cultural Complex .

Pokrovsky Hills

Around 15 km to the north west of the city centre is Pokrovsky Hills, an exclusive gated, residential community with family housing situated in a hilly, wooded area adjacent to the several international schools .

Another 5 km further to the north west of the city centre is Rosinka. This luxurious, gated international community of individual family homes is spread over 134 acres with facilities including a private lake with its own beach, a woodland nature reserve, playgrounds and a leisure centre with sports facilities, conference facilities and a restaurant.

Serebryany Bor

Just under 20 km to the west of the city is the ecological forest park island of Serebryany Bor. In addition to the protected ancient woodland this area has clean beaches, a watersports complex, marinas and stables. This area also has spacious, family housing .

Relocating to Moscow?

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Before the ranking, check out our Featured Best Schools in Moscow:

Cambridge International School, Skolkovo Campus

Ages 3 to 18

Curriculum English, Russian

Primary Language English

Where Moscow international schools are distributed (view our List of International Schools in Moscow to see a live map):

Best International Schools in Moscow - Rankings

Note: our rankings are based on parent, pupil and teacher reviews. If you think your Moscow school should be in the top 15, get reviewing - we want to hear from real people with real experiences at schools so parents, teachers and pupils get the real story when they research their next school. You can find your school in the full List of International Schools in Moscow , or search by name here .

If you prefer, you can filter by age, curriculum and language on the Moscow school list.

The International School of Moscow, Rosinka

Primary language, max class size.

The International School of Moscow (ISM) Rosinka offers a contemporary English international education to students aged from 2 to 11. Established in 2007, the School has a student body of over 1000 and boasts more than 60 nationalities. ISM Rosinka welcomes students aged 2-11. It is located inside Rosinka’s gated territory and is a unique, all through safe, family friendly community school that offers an exceptional outdoor programme. The school is a member of Nord Anglia Education, a growing network of 69 schools established across the globe, and collaborates with world-leading organisations, including the Juilliard School, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and UNICEF. Please feel free to watch our promotional video to learn more about Rosinka: https://youtu.be/K7l2cUXb6Ys ISM Rosinka: +7 (499) 922 44 05 [email protected]

Hinkson Christian Academy

Hinkson Christian Academy (HCA) is an English language elementary and secondary school located in Moscow, Russia. For over 20 years, Hinkson has served the needs of expat and local families who desire their children to receive a quality English-language education that is informed by a Christian worldview, and values Christian character principles. Hinkson Christian Academy is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, whose accreditation is recognized worldwide.

Britannia School

Britannia School Moscow is a traditional British Nursery and Primary school that teaches students from the age of 1,5 years old to 7 years old. We follow the British Early Years Foundation stage (EYFS) and the English national curriculum. All lessons at Britannia School are taught in English by experienced native-speaking British teachers. Our school offers additional after school clubs, weekend English classes and summer camp to both internal and external students. Every year Britannia School Moscow graduates successfully enter international schools in Moscow and overseas.

Embassy of India School

Embassy of India School (KV) Moscow is a vibrant educational institution in Moscow catering to the educational needs of the wards of the Embassy of India personnel and community of Indian origin. The main objective of the School is to impart quality education of an international standard, together with developing the holistic personality of the child, to face the challenging needs of the ever changing society. Established in the year 1987, today the school has a strength of a little over 350 students with classes I to XII and has Science and Commerce streams. The school is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (C.B.S.E), New Delhi and follows the curriculum framed by NCERT, New Delhi, India.

English International School Moscow

English International School Moscow offers a warm and welcoming setting, in which students can develop a love of learning and parents are an integral part of our school community. We encourage regular communication with parents as we believe that working in partnership is the key to a successful outcome.

The International School of Moscow, Krylatskoe Campus

English, iGCSE, A-Level

The International School of Moscow (ISM) is a leading international school in the region, with a strong academic track record. ISM welcomes students aged 2-18 and offers unique Secondary and Sixth Form opportunities due to the large international student body and a wide variety of (I) GCSE and A level subjects. The school is a member of Nord Anglia Education, a growing network of 77 schools established across the globe, and collaborates with world-leading organisations, including the Juilliard School, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and UNICEF. Our school VISION is to: - Provide an education that is friendly, engaging, vibrant and inspiring, nurturing students’ potential and maximising their achievement. - Provide an individually-tailored approach for every child through a warm and caring pastoral care programme. - Develop the skills and mindset needed for students to thrive in an ever-changing world, whilst delivering traditional British values in an international context and engaging learning environments. Our MISSION is that every pupil: - Loves coming to school, has a passion for learning and achieves more than they ever thought possible. - Is educated for the future and is able to achieve truly outstanding academic results on a pathway to the world’s top universities. - Upholds the values of honesty, tolerance, integrity and respect for others. ISM currently has two campuses in Moscow: 1) The Krylatskoe Campus 2) The Rosinka Campus To learn more about ISM , please visit our website or contact us: +7 (499) 922 44 00 [email protected]

International School of Tomorrow

International School of Tomorrow Moscow was started in 1992 to cater to the academic needs of the diplomatic community. Today the School offers its services to both Russian and International students providing the best university-bound education. From the very beginning the School has adhered to the principle of ensuring quality in all aspects - academics, spiritual growth, and character building. During the last 13 years of its existence, the International School of Tomorrow has proved its merit and has become an Embassy school for the international community of 30 countries. Today International School of Tomorrow graduates study all around the world. The diploma issued by the School became a recognizable trademark in more than 500 Universities including the USA and Britain.

British International School Moscow

At the British International School Moscow (BIS), we welcome and educate students from around the world. We help facilitate new families settling into Moscow and are aware that parents who relocate need to be reassured that their children are educated and develop in a safe and secure environment. As such, we have a proud history of providing ‘excellence in education’ to the pupils and parents we serve.

Deutsche Schule Moskau

Deutsche Schule Moskau (DSM) , is the school of the German Embassy in Moscow and one of 140 German schools abroad. DSM is aware of its guest role in Russia. The teaching of the common history of the two countries is a subject of learning at school. We promote contact and exchange with the city of Moscow and the entire country. The support of the children in their development to social and self-responsible action is a central task of our school. Social skills are an important educational goal. This area of competence includes in particular the assumption of responsibility and conflict resolution capability. In addition to the technical and methodological skills, social skills are always promoted in all projects of Deutsche Schule Moskau.

Moscow Economic School

Moscow Economic School (MES) , is a private, non-governmental, IB World School. Founded as a result of democratic changes in our country, MES was the first and has grown into one of the largest private, non-governmental schools in Russia. Today, we have 600 students, boys and girls from the ages of 3 to 18 years old with over 300 employees. MES is striving to be a bilingual school. Russian is the primary language of instruction in the Primary and Middle Years Programs, but English is beginning to be used as an instructive language in their core subjects beginning in the 1st grade. By the time our students begin the Diploma Program, all of their lessons are taught in English.

Heritage International School

Russian,English

Heritage International School offers a supportive international environment and world-class education and care for children from 2 years old in Moscow. The education is based on the British curriculum with lessons conducted in English by highly qualified international teachers. The school is located near the center of Moscow, by the Yauza River embankment and Sokolniki Park. The new modern building is equipped with the finest learning materials and specialised European furniture. The school founders are known for their successful experience in developing and managing a network of Cambridge international schools in Russia and abroad.

Scuola Italiana Italo Calvino

Scuola Italiana Italo Calvino was Founded in 1973 for Italians living in Moscow and today the school is also open for children of other nationalities who want to join one of the richest European cultures. One of the priority tasks of the school is to disseminate the Italian language and cultural traditions of Italy in Russia. All classes are held in Italian. The certification is recognized by all schools of the European Union.

Brookes Moscow International IB School

Brookes Moscow International School is a member of the Brookes Education Group (BEG), a global family of IB schools with seven campuses around the world, including major ones in Cambridge (founded in 1982), Vancouver and Seoul. The 800-pupil capacity Brookes Moscow site welcomes local and international students from age 2 to 18 to its campus and offers the chance to study for the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. Students also have access to BEG’s family of schools and the opportunity to study abroad. Highest academic standards and enquiry-based learning.

The English School of Science and Technology

International English School of Science & Technology (ESS) is a co-educational independent school that offers students from diverse backgrounds the best of English national education. The school is firmly based on the academic standards found in a typical, high-quality British independent school. ESS is a rigorous international university preparatory school specializing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). English School of Science & Technology is small enough to provide a caring, respectful atmosphere whilst promoting the highest academic achievement. The warm and welcoming school community makes it an ideal place to receive a quality education with a diploma valid for the best Universities around the world.

Other International Schools in Moscow

There are 8 other international schools in Moscow that didn't make it into our Top 15, either because they didn't have enough reviews or its review rating was too low. If your school is one of those and you think it should make the Top 15, make sure you add your review and tell your story via the school links below.

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Kapapamahchakwew - wandering spirit school.

The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife

Posted on April 14, 2018 July 26, 2018
by Kings of Russia
8 minute read

Moscow’s nightlife scene is thriving, and arguably one of the best the world has to offer – top-notch Russian women, coupled with a never-ending list of venues, Moscow has a little bit of something for everyone’s taste. Moscow nightlife is not for the faint of heart – and if you’re coming, you better be ready to go Friday and Saturday night into the early morning.

This comprehensive guide to Moscow nightlife will run you through the nuts and bolts of all you need to know about Moscow’s nightclubs and give you a solid blueprint to operate with during your time in Moscow.

What you need to know before hitting Moscow nightclubs

Prices in moscow nightlife.

Before you head out and start gaming all the sexy Moscow girls , we have to talk money first. Bring plenty because in Moscow you can never bring a big enough bankroll. Remember, you’re the man so making a fuzz of not paying a drink here or there will not go down well.

Luckily most Moscow clubs don’t do cover fees. Some electro clubs will charge 15-20$, depending on their lineup. There’s the odd club with a minimum spend of 20-30$, which you’ll drop on drinks easily. By and large, you can scope out the venues for free, which is a big plus.

Bottle service is a great deal in Moscow. At top-tier clubs, it starts at 1,000$. That’ll go a long way with premium vodka at 250$, especially if you have three or four guys chipping in. Not to mention that it’s a massive status boost for getting girls, especially at high-end clubs.

Without bottle service, you should estimate a budget of 100-150$ per night. That is if you drink a lot and hit the top clubs with the hottest girls. Scale down for less alcohol and more basic places.

Dress code & Face control

Door policy in Moscow is called “face control” and it’s always the guy behind the two gorillas that gives the green light if you’re in or out.

In Moscow nightlife there’s only one rule when it comes to dress codes:

You can never be underdressed.

People dress A LOT sharper than, say, in the US and that goes for both sexes. For high-end clubs, you definitely want to roll with a sharp blazer and a pocket square, not to mention dress shoes in tip-top condition. Those are the minimum requirements to level the playing field vis a vis with other sharply dressed guys that have a lot more money than you do. Unless you plan to hit explicit electro or underground clubs, which have their own dress code, you are always on the money with that style.

Getting in a Moscow club isn’t as hard as it seems: dress sharp, speak English at the door and look like you’re in the mood to spend all that money that you supposedly have (even if you don’t). That will open almost any door in Moscow’s nightlife for you.

Types of Moscow Nightclubs

In Moscow there are four types of clubs with the accompanying female clientele:

High-end clubs:

These are often crossovers between restaurants and clubs with lots of tables and very little space to dance. Heavy accent on bottle service most of the time but you can work the room from the bar as well. The hottest and most expensive girls in Moscow go there. Bring deep pockets and lots of self-confidence and you have a shot at swooping them.

Regular Mid-level clubs:

They probably resemble more what you’re used to in a nightclub: big dancefloors, stages and more space to roam around. Bottle service will make you stand out more but you can also do well without. You can find all types of girls but most will be in the 6-8 range. Your targets should always be the girls drinking and ideally in pairs. It’s impossible not to swoop if your game is at least half-decent.

Basic clubs/dive bars:

Usually spots with very cheap booze and lax face control. If you’re dressed too sharp and speak no Russian, you might attract the wrong type of attention so be vigilant. If you know the local scene you can swoop 6s and 7s almost at will. Usually students and girls from the suburbs.

Electro/underground clubs:

Home of the hipsters and creatives. Parties there don’t mean meeting girls and getting drunk but doing pills and spacing out to the music. Lots of attractive hipster girls if that is your niche. That is its own scene with a different dress code as well.

What time to go out in Moscow

Moscow nightlife starts late. Don’t show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you’ll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife’s biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won’t know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed. From 4am to 6am the regular clubs are emptying out but plenty of people, women included, still hit up one of the many afterparty clubs. Those last till well past 10am.

As far as days go: Fridays and Saturdays are peak days. Thursday is an OK day, all other days are fairly weak and you have to know the right venues.

The Ultimate Moscow Nightclub List

Short disclaimer: I didn’t add basic and electro clubs since you’re coming for the girls, not for the music. This list will give you more options than you’ll be able to handle on a weekend.

Preparty – start here at 11PM

Classic restaurant club with lots of tables and a smallish bar and dancefloor. Come here between 11pm and 12am when the concert is over and they start with the actual party. Even early in the night tons of sexy women here, who lean slightly older (25 and up).

The second floor of the Ugolek restaurant is an extra bar with dim lights and house music tunes. Very small and cozy with a slight hipster vibe but generally draws plenty of attractive women too. A bit slower vibe than Valenok.

Very cool, spread-out venue that has a modern library theme. Not always full with people but when it is, it’s brimming with top-tier women. Slow vibe here and better for grabbing contacts and moving on.

High-end: err on the side of being too early rather than too late because of face control.

Secret Room

Probably the top venue at the moment in Moscow . Very small but wildly popular club, which is crammed with tables but always packed. They do parties on Thursdays and Sundays as well. This club has a hip-hop/high-end theme, meaning most girls are gold diggers, IG models, and tattooed hip hop chicks. Very unfavorable logistics because there is almost no room no move inside the club but the party vibe makes it worth it. Strict face control.

Close to Secret Room and with a much more favorable and spacious three-part layout. This place attracts very hot women but also lots of ball busters and fakes that will leave you blue-balled. Come early because after 4am it starts getting empty fast. Electronic music.

A slightly kitsch restaurant club that plays Russian pop and is full of gold diggers, semi-pros, and men from the Caucasus republics. Thursday is the strongest night but that dynamic might be changing since Secret Room opened its doors. You can swoop here but it will be a struggle.

Mid-level: your sweet spot in terms of ease and attractiveness of girls for an average budget.

Started going downwards in 2018 due to lax face control and this might get even worse with the World Cup. In terms of layout one of the best Moscow nightclubs because it’s very big and bottle service gives you a good edge here. Still attracts lots of cute girls with loose morals but plenty of provincial girls (and guys) as well. Swooping is fairly easy here.

I haven’t been at this place in over a year, ever since it started becoming ground zero for drunken teenagers. Similar clientele to Icon but less chic, younger and drunker. Decent mainstream music that attracts plenty of tourists. Girls are easy here as well.

Sort of a Coyote Ugly (the real one in Moscow sucks) with party music and lots of drunken people licking each others’ faces. Very entertaining with the right amount of alcohol and very easy to pull in there. Don’t think about staying sober in here, you’ll hate it.

Artel Bessonitsa/Shakti Terrace

Electronic music club that is sort of a high-end place with an underground clientele and located between the teenager clubs Icon and Gipsy. Very good music but a bit all over the place with their vibe and their branding. You can swoop almost any type of girl here from high-heeled beauty to coked-up hipsters, provided they’re not too sober.

Afterparty: if by 5AM you haven’t pulled, it’s time to move here.

Best afterparty spot in terms of trying to get girls. Pretty much no one is sober in there and savage gorilla game goes a long way. Lots of very hot and slutty-looking girls but it can be hard to tell apart who is looking for dick and who is just on drugs but not interested. If by 9-10am you haven’t pulled, it is probably better to surrender.

The hipster alternative for afterparties, where even more drugs are in play. Plenty of attractive girls there but you have to know how to work this type of club. A nicer atmosphere and better music but if you’re desperate to pull, you’ll probably go to Miks.

Weekday jokers: if you’re on the hunt for some sexy Russian girls during the week, here are two tips to make your life easier.

Chesterfield

Ladies night on Wednesdays means this place gets pretty packed with smashed teenagers and 6s and 7s. Don’t pull out the three-piece suit in here because it’s a “simpler” crowd. Definitely your best shot on Wednesdays.

If you haven’t pulled at Chesterfield, you can throw a Hail Mary and hit up Garage’s Black Music Wednesdays. Fills up really late but there are some cute Black Music groupies in here. Very small club. Thursday through Saturday they do afterparties and you have an excellent shot and swooping girls that are probably high.

Shishas Sferum

This is pretty much your only shot on Mondays and Tuesdays because they offer free or almost free drinks for women. A fairly low-class club where you should watch your drinks. As always the case in Moscow, there will be cute girls here on any day of the week but it’s nowhere near as good as on the weekend.

In a nutshell, that is all you need to know about where to meet Moscow girls in nightlife. There are tons of options, and it all depends on what best fits your style, based on the type of girls that you’re looking for.

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Kapapamahchakwew (Elem) - Wandering Spirit School (GR. JK-08)

IMAGES

First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew
First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew
First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew
From Planters to a School Food Forest
First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew
Asees Foundation Donating To Wandering Spirit Indigenous School in

VIDEO

Teaching the truth: Why education needs to be informed and led by Indigenous people
What Are You Waiting For?
The Prophetic Sequence Has Begun
it's Time To Walk In Him
The School of the Spirit I: Persecution
You Are Victorious!

COMMENTS

Kapapamahchakwew (Sec)
In 1989, the program was renamed First Nations School of Toronto (FNST). Then in 2018/19, the school returned to its original roots and after a renaming ceremony, and is now called Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School. Read More about Kapapamahchakwew (Sec) - Wandering Spirit School. Phone:(416) 393-0555. Fax: Email: [email protected].
Indigenous Schools
For more information on Kâpapâmahchakwêw - Wandering Spirit School and the programs and courses offered, and how to register contact Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School of Toronto or call the school at 416-393-0555. Centering Indigenous Ways of Knowing Across the Board.
'We're making history,' says one of the first high school graduates of
Kâpapâmahchakwêw - Wandering Spirit School welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2017.
Kapapamahchakwew (Elem)
Kapapamahchakwew (Elem) - Wandering Spirit School. Skip to: Content Search Sitemap. Colours: Text Size: Close Window X. Google Translate Limitations Disclaimer ... Kapapamahchakwew (Elem) - Wandering Spirit School (GR. JK-08) Phone: (416) 393-0555. Fax: Email: [email protected]. Address: 16 Phin Ave, Toronto, ON, M4J 3T2.
Kapapamahchakwew
The Kindergarten program at Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School is a child-centred and culturally relevant. For First Nations people it provides an opportunity for Indigenous children to learn about Anishinaabe cultural traditions in a nurturing, caring environment. Children learn within a circle of caring that includes family ...
Kapapamahchakwew (Sec)
Then in 2018/19, the school returned to its original roots and after a renaming ceremony, and is now called Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School. Kindergarten at Kapapamahchakwew-Wandering Spirit School is child-centred and culturally relevant. It provides Indigenous children with an opportunity to learn about Anishinaabe cultural ...
Kâpapâmahchakwéw "Wandering Spirit School"
Toronto Star - Kâpapâmahchakwéw "Wandering Spirit School" celebrates its first graduates. Part of the Toronto District School Board, "Wandering Spirit "welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2107, added Grade 10 in 2018, Grade 11 in 2019 and Grade 12 in 2020. The school integrates values, language and culture into
Indigenous Toronto: Wandering Spirit School and the vision of
Tanya shared that the re-named Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School, has grown from a K-8 to a K-12 school, and is now located at 16 Phin Avenue, in the old Eastern Commerce School. The academic year 2021-2022 marks the first time that Grade 12 will be offered.
First Nation School of Toronto. Kapapamahchakwew
In 1989, the program was renamed First Nations School of Toronto (FNST). Then in 2018/19, the school returned to its original roots and after a renaming ceremony, and is now called Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School. Kindergarten at Kapapamahchakwew-Wandering Spirit School is child-centred and culturally relevant.
Kapapamahchakwew
walk west (turn right) to Euston Ave. walk south to Chatham Ave. walk east to 16 Phin Ave. walk south to the south-east corner of Kapapamahchakwew, Door #3. TUSC staff will be waiting for you at Door #3. view the Google map to get to Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School (Formerly First Nations Jr & Sr School of Toronto.
Kapapamahchakwew
Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School school web site. Skip to: Content Search Sitemap. Colours: Text Size: Close ... Wandering Spirit School. Phone (416) 393-0555. Email [email protected]. Address. 16 Phin Ave Toronto, ON M4J 3T2. Principal: Elise Twyford. Vice-Principal(s): Jonathan Salvatore. Superintendent:
Wandering Spirit School, other Indigenous-led schools a way to redress
The school, which boasts 180 students, was founded in 1977 by elder Pauline Shirt and the late elder Vern Harper, who were looking for a safer school that nurtured the Indigenous identity for ...
Kâpapâmahchakwêw, Wandering Spirt school
June 28, 2021. Kâpapâmahchakwêw, Wandering Spirt school, part of the Toronto District School Board, celebrates its first graduates. Welcomed its first cohort of Grade 9 students in the fall of 2107, added Grade 10 in 2018, Grade 11 in 2019 and Grade 12 in 2020. The school integrates values, language and culture into the curriculum ...
Kapapamahchakwew
Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School Parent Council, Toronto, Ontario. 564 likes · 21 talking about this. We are the Parent Advisory Council of Kapapamahchakwew-Wandering Spirit School.
KAPAPAMAHCHAKWEW
Source: Link. KAPAPAMAHCHAKWEW (Papamahchakwayo, Wandering Spirit, occasionally known as Esprit Errant), war chief of a band of Plains Cree; b. c. 1845; d. 27 Nov. 1885 by hanging at Battleford (Sask.). He was survived by at least one daughter. From the fragmentary evidence concerning Wandering Spirit's earlier life, he seems to have been the ...
Kapapamahchakwew (Elem)
Kapapamahchakwew (Elem) - Wandering Spirit School. 16 Phin Ave, Toronto, ON, M4J 3T2. PHONE NUMBER: (416) 393-0555. GRADE RANGE: JK to 8. EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]. ... Wandering Spirit School. Student Life - Where You Belong. WHAT SETS US APART. PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ...
Moscow to Revolutionize School Education with Online School ...
Moscow Online School has generated immediate results: in less than one year after the project launch Moscow authorities have indicated 15% growth of academic progress in the schools participating ...
Students
Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School school web site. Skip to: Content Search Sitemap. Colours: Text Size: Close ... Wandering Spirit School. Phone (416) 393-0555. Email [email protected]. Address. 16 Phin Ave Toronto, ON M4J 3T2. Principal: Elise Twyford. Vice-Principal(s): Jonathan Salvatore. Superintendent:
23 Things to Do in Moscow, Russia
In the morning hours, stumble upon yoga classes and dance lessons before joggers and cyclists arrive in equal numbers. If you have time, get about on foot to appreciate the manicured gardens along the walking path that guides you to Sparrow Hill. From the top, you can bask in exquisite views of the Moscow skyline.
Top 15 Best International Schools in Moscow, Russia
22. Description. The International School of Moscow (ISM) Rosinka offers a contemporary English international education to students aged from 2 to 11. Established in 2007, the School has a student body of over 1000 and boasts more than 60 nationalities. ISM Rosinka welcomes students aged 2-11.
Kapapamahchakwew
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The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife
Moscow nightlife starts late. Don't show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you'll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife's biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won't know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed.
Kapapamahchakwew (Elem)
The electronic translation service on the Toronto District School Board website is hosted by Google Translate, a third party service. The TDSB does not guarantee or warrant the reliability, accuracy or completeness of any translated information. ... Kapapamahchakwew (Elem) - Wandering Spirit School (GR. JK-08) Phone: (416) 393-0555. Fax: Email ...