Indigenous Education Services

 Above: An Indigenous Liaison meets with a student at Clairmont Community School.

Purpose:

PWPSD Indigenous Education Services functions to support the positive experiences and success of Indigenous students.

Values:

1. Supporting the holistic well-being and academic success of all Indigenous students, resulting in increased retention and graduation rates across the district.

2. Ensuring that schools are equipped to create learning environments that allow for increased understanding of and respect for Indigenous peoples.

3. Fostering opportunities for truth and reconciliation through building and strengthening community relationships.

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:

PWSD-FNMI-brochure-WEB

Indigenous Liaisons

Meet with students on a regular basis during school hours to support their social and academic needs.
Seek to establish and maintain a trust relationship with Indigenous students and their families to assist with school-related issues.
Improve communication and increase interaction between students, parents, communities and schools.
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

Indigenous students may apply for a week of classroom training at Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) followed by six weeks of job shadowing. Students are housed at GPRC’s residence facilities and receive a training allowance of $400 per week. Thanks to partnerships between PWPSD, GPRC and local businesses, this program is eligible for high school credit. Indigenous students will be exposed to possible career prospects and receive insights into the path required to achieve future goals.

New Indigenous-focused initiatives at PWPSD

Cree Language and Aboriginal Studies courses are offered at Hythe Regional School.
Additional support for specialized classes or projects focusing on Indigenous student success.
Annual $1,000 Indigenous post-secondary scholarship.
‘Circle of Courage’ positive behaviour modelling.
Increased Indigenous content in classrooms and libraries.

PWPSD Virtual Round Dance 2020

Indigenous Guest Speaker Series

Guests share their success stories during PWPSD’s annual school tour. Past Indigenous guest speakers include:

Sherryl Sewepagaham, music educator, award-winning musician, and co-founding member of Asani.
Lorne Cardinal, actor from CTV’s Corner Gas.
Monique Hurteau, producer, writer and comedian who appears on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) as a fitness expert.
Cree musicians Jason Chamakese and Robert Gladue.
Linsay Willier, Canada’s Next Top Model finalist.
J.R. LaRose, a free safety with the BC Lions, and Jed Roberts, former Edmonton Eskimos linebacker and defensive end.
Ashley Callingbull, Miss Canada International 2010, Mrs. Universe 2015.
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:

provide enhanced and equal opportunities for Native students to acquire the quality of education traditional in Alberta;
challenge Native students to learn and perform to the best of their ability;
provide opportunities for Native students to study and experience their own and other Native cultures and lifestyles;
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. 21, 2019 National Indigenous Peoples Day at Harry Balfour School
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

Feb. 03, 2021 Inuit Connections focus of PWPSD Indigenous Speaker Series in February
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

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

School Year Calendars
Western Cree Tribal Council
Spirit Seekers Youth Conference

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