Indigenous Education in Ontario
Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework, 2007
The Ministry of Education's - Ontario's Indigenous Education Strategy & the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's - Calls to Action sets the foundation for improving achievement among Indigenous students in provincially funded schools and providing all staff and students education on First Nations, Métis and Inuit history, culture and traditions.
The Indigenous Education Strategy supports life-long learning beginning in the early years and continuing through postsecondary, training or workplace opportunities.
These initiatives are further supported at SNCDSB through the;
Table of Contents
I pledge my commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action by . . .
- Integrating age-appropriate lessons on residential schools, Treaties, and Indigenous peoples' historical and contemporary contribution to Canada
- Improving education attainment levels and success rates for all students
- Supporting Indigenous languages
- Enabling parents to fully participate in the education of their children
- Respecting and honouring Treaty relationships
- Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Ministry of Education - Indigenous Education website
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Indigenous Education Lead
As of the fall in 2016, the Ministry of Education funded each school board in Ontario with a full-time position dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework.
Indigenous Education Leads work closely with senior board administration, staff and Indigenous Education Advisory Councils to;
- Support improved Indigenous student achievement and well-being.
- Enhance the knowledge and awareness of all students about First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultures, histories and perspectives.
- Collaborating and liaising with local First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, organizations, students and families;
- Further supporting the implementation of voluntary and confidential First Nations, Métis and Inuit self-identification policies and administrative procedures in their board and reviewing the policy as needed.
Map
Map showing our school, First Nations and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Council locations.
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Indigenous Education Advisory Committee (IEAC)
What is the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee (IEAC)?
In 2014, through the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Education indicated that all school boards would establish formalized processes, such as establishing IEACs to support local implementation of the framework. IEAC would provide guidance to school boards and schools in building stronger relationships with their communities, sharing information, identifying promising practices, and enhancing collaborative work to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement and well-being.
SNCDSB IEAC's Focus is to:
- Promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture, history, contributions and perspectives.
- Build and strengthen meaningful partnerships between SNCDSB and Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Improve academic outcomes and wellbeing for SNCDSB Indigenous students.
- Educate and promote First Nations, Métis and Inuit Self-Identification.
How Many Times does the IEAC Meet?
The IEAC Committee meets at least four times every school year. Committee members can attend meetings either in person or via teleconference or Zoom.
Who Can Join?
Parents or guardians of students who self-identify as First Nation, Métis or Inuit. First Nations, Métis or Inuit community partners and community members.
Who Are the Current Members?
- Judy Wawia, Chair - Lake Helen Red Rock Indian Band, Chair of SNCDSB
- Val Auger, Co-Chair - Education Officer Pays Plat First Nation
- Martha Taylor - Ginoogaming First Nation
- Victor Chapis - Ginoogaming First Nation
- Christopher Hill - Ginoogaming First Nation
- Malcolm Charles - Ginoogaming First Nation
- Tymara Ruth - Director of Education Red Rock Indian Band
- Ted Wawia - Councillor - Red Rock Indian Band
- Shirley Jean - Trustee, SNCDSB
- Tara Patterson - Trustee, SNCDSB
- Maria Vasanelli - Director of Education, SNCDSB
- Paul Tsekouras - Superintendent of Education, SNCDSB
- Erin Roxborough - Indigenous Education Manager, SNCDSB
- Michelle Edmond - Attendance Counsellor, SNCDSB
- Patti Pella - Ministry of Education
- Brent Harris - Metis Nation Local Representative
- Brandy Brake-Weldon - Manager and Parent Dilico
- Marilyn Netemegesic - Elder - Rocky Bay/Red Rock Indian Band
- Randi Ray - Wabun Tribal Council - Flying Post First Nation
- Joshua LeClair - Kinoomaadziwin Education Body
- Susan Baril - Flying Post First Nation
- Pam Hardy - Education Director Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging
- Crystal Gionette - Parent, St. Edward Catholic School
- Sarah Clowes - Principal, SNCDSB
Where are the meetings?
Meeting locations rotate and are held either at St Edward School, Pays Plat First Nation, Lake Helen or in Ginoogaming First Nation.
All meetings are open to the public and we encourage all of our community members to attend.
Voluntary & Confidential First Nations, Métis & Inuit Self-Identification
Supporting our Students
The Superior North Catholic District School Board (SNCDSB) along with the Ministry of Education aim to improve student achievement and well-being for our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students by following the First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Policy Framework and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - Calls to Action.
Why Self-identification?
- To support high levels of achievement for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
- To provide opportunities for self-identified Indigenous students to access programming to meet their needs.
- To develop new programs relevant to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit population.
Who can Self-Identify?
For the purpose of voluntary self-identification, proof of ancestry is not required. First Nation, Métis and Inuit are identified as:
First Nation
People who identify as being First Nation and/or of First Nation ancestry (includes both Status and Non-Status). It also includes those who identify with a First Nation community and/or ancestral land.
Métis
People who self-identify as Métis and/or of Métis ancestry.
Inuit
People who are descendants of one of the original peoples in Canada whose traditional territory and/or ancestry spans the Arctic.
I am First Nation, Métis or Inuit
To identify your child, please complete the following form and return to your child's school.
Indigenous Self-Identification Pamphlet (updated Dec. 2023)
Native Language Program
The Ministry of Education and Superior North Catholic District School Board understand that language is the foundation of culture. Indigenous peoples have a strong tradition of oral histories that must be supported by a new respect for, and understanding of, Indigenous languages.
At Superior North Catholic District School Board, 8 out of our 9 schools offer Ojibwe Language classes in grades 1 to 8. These schools are; Our Lady of Fatima (Longlac), St Joseph (Geraldton), St Brigid (Nakina), St Hilary (Red Rock), St Edward (Nipigon), Holy Angels (Schreiber), Holy Saviour (Marathon) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Manitouwadge).
Students learn both oral and written Ojibwe language as well as First Nations history, culture and traditions. If your child is interested in taking Ojibwe classes, please contact your child's school.
Are you interested in learning Ojibwe? Check out these great websites for adults/youth, parents/guardians to learn Ojibwe!
Supporting documents:
Curriculum Updates and Important Indigenous Dates Calendar
The Ministry of Education continues to work in collaboration with Indigenous partners to enhance the Ontario curriculum in order to support mandatory learning of residential schools, Treaties, the legacy of colonialism, and the rights and responsibilities we all have to each other as Treaty people.
Curriculum revisions occurred in the summer of 2016 and the winter of 2017. These revisions were guided by residential school survivors, First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners as well as education stakeholders. The revised curriculums, Social Studies (Grades 4 to 6) and History (Grades 7 to 8) were implemented in all schools in September 2018 (see below).
Curriculum Resource
SNCDSB's commitment to Indigenous Education is seen as part of our Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) as one of the 4 education pillars. The Indigenous Education Pillar is focused on
"Providing learners the opportunity to gain and acquire knowledge about Indigenous culture, language and arts through experiences in a safe and inclusive environment."
Schools within SNCDSB offer cultural and traditional programs, Experiential programs, Ontario Arts Council events and so much more! Many of these programs, activities and events can be found on school social media sites or newsletters and website.
Also, many events throughout the school year follows the Indigenous Education Important Dates Calendar (as seen below).
- September 19th - Powley Day (Métis)
- September 30th - Every Child Matters: Residential School Orange Shirt Day
- October 24th - Children in Care - Dress Purple Day
- November 6th to 12th - Treaty Week
- November 8th - Indigenous Veterans Day
- November 16th - Louis Riel Day (Métis)
- April 22nd - Earth Day
- The month of June - National Indigenous History Month
- June 2nd - Truth and Reconciliation Anniversary
- June 21st - National Indigenous Peoples Day
- July 9th - Nanavut Day
- August 9th - World Indigenous Day
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Local First Nations
Local First Nations run events throughout the year that are usually open to everyone!
- Fall Gathering/Harvest
- Winter Gathering/Harvest
- Spring Gathering/Feast
- Goose Hunt
- Fish Harvesting
- All Ceremonies (i.e. Full Moon Ceremony)
- Language Classes
- Summer Months - Pow Wow
- Indigenous Winter Games - to be determined
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