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.

Indigenous Education Services

Purpose:

To support the positive experiences and success of our Indigenous students, while advancing Truth & Reconciliation in education for all students and staff.

Values:

Support the well-being and academic success of all Indigenous students.
Work with schools to create learning environments that allow for increased understanding of and respect for Indigenous peoples.
Increase representation and connection through building and strengthening community relationships.

Our Team:

We work together to carry out the purpose and values of Indigenous Education Services within our division. Our focus is to improve the experience of our Indigenous students, create learning opportunities for all students, collaborate with staff in a leadership capacity, and to foster and strengthen community relationships.

Our framework includes three division-wide positions, including the Indigenous Education Coordinator (team lead), and two Indigenous Services Provider positions, who specialize in Indigenous student wellness and education. For 2021-2022, there will also be a division-wide position held by an Educator who specializes in weaving Indigenous content into curriculum and classrooms. These roles work directly with schools to meet their unique needs.

Our framework also includes four school-based positions, including three Indigenous Liaisons at Hythe Regional School and one at Beaverlodge Regional High School. These roles work within their schools to support and advocate for Indigenous students, foster healthy relationships with Indigenous families and communities, and promote representation of Indigenous perspectives, values and culture.

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 (on leave)
Central Office:
(780) 532-8133

Indigenous Services Providers:

Central Office:
(780) 532-8133

Andrea Rosenberger

Rochelle Bell

Jackie Benning

Educator (Term Position)

Indigenous Liaisons:

Miranda Belcourt
Beaverlodge Regional High School
(780) 354-2189

Barb Belcourt
Cree Instructor
Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934

Shirley Horseman

Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934

Marlene Letendre
Educational Assistant
Hythe Regional School
(780) 356-3934

Resources

School Year Calendars
Western Cree Tribal Council
Spirit Seekers Youth Conference

IES-Booklet-2020

Indigenous Education Services

Purpose:

Values:

Indigenous Education Services

Indigenous Liaisons

Aboriginal Summer Job Shadowing Program

New Indigenous-focused initiatives at PWPSD

PWPSD Virtual Round Dance 2020

Indigenous Guest Speaker Series

Policy Statement on Native Education

Special Events

Media Releases

In the News

Contact Us

Newsletters