Indigenous Education Services
Purpose:
Values:
How Indigenous Education Services works
In agreement with Alberta Education, each Indigenous student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be asked to sign a declaration of Indigenous status so that Alberta Education may monitor the number of Indigenous students throughout PWPSD and the province of Alberta. When a student self-identifies as Indigenous and returns the signed declaration to the school, he or she is connected with an Indigenous Liaison.
Read the Indigenous Education brochure online:
Indigenous Liaisons
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Meet with students on a regular basis during school hours to support their social and academic needs.
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Seek to establish and maintain a trust relationship with Indigenous students and their families to assist with school-related issues.
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Improve communication and increase interaction between students, parents, communities and schools.
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Increase the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, Treaty and Aboriginal rights, lands, cultures and languages; and to provide referral services for Indigenous students and families to appropriate agencies.
Aboriginal Summer Job Shadowing Program
New Indigenous-focused initiatives at PWPSD
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Cree Language and Aboriginal Studies courses are offered at Hythe Regional School.
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Additional support for specialized classes or projects focusing on Indigenous student success.
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Annual $1,000 Indigenous post-secondary scholarship.
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‘Circle of Courage’ positive behaviour modelling.
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Increased Indigenous content in classrooms and libraries.
PWPSD Virtual Round Dance 2020
Indigenous Guest Speaker Series

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Sherryl Sewepagaham, music educator, award-winning musician, and co-founding member of Asani.
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Lorne Cardinal, actor from CTV’s Corner Gas.
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Monique Hurteau, producer, writer and comedian who appears on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) as a fitness expert.
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Cree musicians Jason Chamakese and Robert Gladue.
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Linsay Willier, Canada’s Next Top Model finalist.
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J.R. LaRose, a free safety with the BC Lions, and Jed Roberts, former Edmonton Eskimos linebacker and defensive end.
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Ashley Callingbull, Miss Canada International 2010, Mrs. Universe 2015.
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Reggie and Jamie Leach, the only Aboriginal father and son to be listed on the Stanley Cup.
Policy Statement on Native Education
Introduced by Alberta’s Minister of Education to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 1987, the Policy Statement on Native Education in Alberta was significant because it was issued by the Government of Alberta. The policy stated that “Alberta Education would support the development and delivery of programs and services that would:
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provide enhanced and equal opportunities for Native students to acquire the quality of education traditional in Alberta;
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challenge Native students to learn and perform to the best of their ability;
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provide opportunities for Native students to study and experience their own and other Native cultures and lifestyles;
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provide opportunities for all students, Native and non-Native, in Alberta’s schools to recognize and appreciate the various Native cultures and their many contributions to the province and society.”
Special Events
Jun. 18, 2019 PWPSD schools celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
Sept. 29, 2016 Orange Shirt Day event at Hythe Regional School
June 04, 2015 Blue Bird Dance Troupe celebrates National Aboriginal Day with Harry Balfour School
Apr. 20, 2015 Beaverlodge, Hythe Schools host second Kelly Lake meet and greet
Apr. 15, 2015 Beaverlodge, Hythe Schools host second Horse Lake meet and greet
Oct. 15, 2014 Beaverlodge Regional High School hosts Horse Lake meet and greet
Media Releases
Nov. 16, 2020 PWPSD schools focus on three important events this week
Sept. 24, 2019 Orange Shirt Day at PWPSD schools – Every Child Matters
Jun. 18, 2019 PWPSD schools celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
Apr. 26, 2019 PWPSD Indigenous Speakers Series welcomes “Métis Bev”
Apr. 03, 2019 Post-secondary education focus of upcoming PWPSD Indigenous Speakers Series
Mar. 11, 2019 PWPSD schools welcome basketball star Michael Linklater
Sep. 24, 2018 Orange Shirt Day at PWPSD schools – Every Child Matters
Jun. 18, 2018 PWSD schools celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
May. 18, 2018 PWSD schools welcome Grey Cup champion JR LaRose during FNMI school tour
Sept. 25, 2017 Orange Shirt Day at PWPSD schools
Jun. 19, 2017 PWSD schools celebrate National Aboriginal Day
Mar. 08, 2017 Duane Howard of The Revenant set to star in upcoming FNMI school tour
Mar. 01, 2017 PWPSD’s annual FNMI Scholarship awarded to Spirit River Regional Academy graduate
Sept. 09, 2016 Back-to-back FNMI hockey-themed tours planned for September
June 20, 2016 PWPSD schools celebrate National Aboriginal Day
May 25, 2016 Aboriginal musician Sherryl Sewepagaham to tour PWPSD schools
Mar. 02, 2016 PWPSD students to be recognized with Aboriginal Youth Role Model Awards
Sept. 17, 2015 Lorne Cardinal, Monique Hurteau to tour PWPSD schools
June 26, 2015 Beaverlodge graduate receives PWPSD's FNMI Scholarship
June 04, 2015 Blue Bird Dance Troupe celebrates National Aboriginal Day with Harry Balfour School
June 04, 2015 PWPSD schools celebrate National Aboriginal Day
Apr. 29, 2015 CFL duo return for second leg of FNMI school tour
Mar. 30, 2015 Hythe Healthy Initiatives Program receives $6,000 boost
Mar. 04, 2015 PWPSD students to be recognized with Aboriginal Youth Role Model Awards
Oct. 16, 2014 FNMI school tour featuring Cree musicians underway at PWPSD schools
In the News
Sept. 25, 2019 Local schools to celebrate Orange Shirt Day because "Every Child Matters", Reach FM
Sept. 20, 2019 Juno nominee to perform at GPRC during welcome event, 2day FM
Sept. 20, 2019 Indigenous artist Kelly Fraser entertaining students, Daily Herald Tribune
June 28, 2019 Rural high school students try on design thinking, problem-solving and collaboration at Indigenous Youth Forum, University of Calgary
May 06, 2019 Next installment of Indigenous speakers series combines history with messages of pride, 2day FM
May 01, 2019 'Metis Bev' presenting at Peace Wapiti schools, Daily Herald Tribune
Apr. 26, 2019 PWPSD Indigenous Speakers Series welcomes "Metis Bev", Reach FM
Apr. 07, 2019 Indigenous Speakers Series turns attention to post-secondary transition, Everything GP
Apr. 05, 2019 Indigenous speakers hope to encourage students' post-secondary dreams, 2day FM
Mar. 13, 2019 Indigenous basketball start touring PWPSD, Everything GP
Mar. 11, 2019 PWPSD schools welcome Michael Linklater, Reach FM
Mar. 11, 2019 Indigenous hoops start hopes to leave lasting impact on students, 2day FM
Sept. 26, 2017 Cree musician returning for FNMI school tour, Central Peace Signal
Mar. 20, 2017 Star of 'The Revenant' inspires local students, 2day FM
Mar. 09, 2017 Revenant actor starts in FNMI tour, Daily Herald Tribune
Mar. 07, 2017 "The Revenant" start to tour Peace Country Schools, 2day FM
Mar. 05, 2017 Aboriginal Youth awards presented, Daily Herald Tribune
Sept. 13, 2016 FNMI Tour with Stanley Cup winners continues, Big Country 93.1 FM
Sept. 13, 2016 Stanley Cup winners touring Peace Country schools this week, Q99 FM
Sept. 12, 2016 Stanley Cup winners back for second tour of Peace Region schools, 2day FM
Sept. 11, 2016 FNMI hockey-themed school tours returning to PWPSD, Daily Herald Tribune
June 27, 2016 Horse Lake First Nation honours student achievements, Daily Herald Tribune
June 21, 2016 Peace Region celebrating 20th National Aboriginal Day, 2day FM
June 21, 2016 Tuesday is National Aboriginal Day, Big Country 93.1 FM
June 21, 2016 Local events coming up for National Aboriginal Day, Q99 FM
Mar. 08, 2016 Aboriginal youth honoured at Spirit Seekers Youth Conference, 2day FM
Mar. 02, 2016 Spirit Seekers Youth Conference this weekend in GPRC, Q99 FM
Mar. 02, 2016 Spirit Seekers Youth Conference this weekend in GPRC, Big Country 93.1 FM
Sept. 25, 2015 FNMI TV figures offer advice to students, 2day FM
Sept. 23, 2015 Hurteau, Cardinal meeting with Peace Country kids, Big Country 93.1 FM
Sept. 18, 2015 More FNMI role models visiting Peace region schools, 2day FM
Sept. 18, 2015 Lorne Cardinal, Monique Hurteau to tour PWPSD schools, Q99 Live
Sept. 17, 2015 Cardinal, Hurteau to visit PWPSD schools next week, Big Country 93.1 FM
Apr. 06, 2015 Hythe snack program gets funding boost, Daily Herald Tribune
Mar. 09, 2015 Aboriginal youth role models recognized, Daily Herald Tribune
Oct. 30, 2014 Duo shares culture with students, Daily Herald Tribune
Contact us
Indigenous Education Coordinator
Brigitte Benning
Central Office:
(780) 532-8133
Indigenous Liaisons:
Krista Lucas
Indigenous Liaison
Beaverlodge Elementary School
(780) 354-2446
Miranda Belcourt
Indigenous Liaison
Beaverlodge Regional High School
(780) 354-2189
Sheila Payeur
Indigenous Liaison & Educator
Clairmont Community School
(780) 567-4698
Melissa Hanna
Indigenous Liaison & Educational Assistant
Harry Balfour School
(780) 532-9276
Anna Underwood
Indigenous Liaison & Librarian
Helen E. Taylor School
(780) 766-9103
Barb Belcourt
Cree Instructor & Indigenous Liaison
Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934
Shirley St. Cyr
Indigenous Liaison
Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934
Marlene Letendre
Indigenous Liaison & Support Worker
Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934
Dennis Shinksi
Youth Advocate
Peace Wapiti Academy
(780) 513-9504
JoAnne Bernier
Indigenous Liaison & Educational Assistant
Penson School
(780) 532-6390
Lisa Wiseman
Indigenous Liaison & School Community Wellness
Ridgevalley School
(780) 957-3995
Cindy Wunsch
Indigenous Liaison
Sexsmith Secondary School
(780) 568-3642
and
Robert W. Zahara Public School
(780) 568-3823
Corinne Dennis
Indigenous Liaison & Educational Assistant
Spirit River Regional Academy
(780) 864-3696
Maryanne Buck
Indigenous Liaison & Educator
Whispering Ridge Community School
(587) 771-2180
Resources
Western Cree Tribal Council
Spirit Seekers Youth Conference