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Table of Contents

Introduction Page4TheBorderLandSchoolDivision Page4TheBrandonSchoolDivision Pages5-7TheEvergreenSchoolDivision Page8TheFlinFlonSchoolDivision Page9TheHanoverSchoolDivision Page10TheInterlakeSchoolDivision Pages11-12TheKelseySchoolDivision Page13TheLordSelkirkSchoolDivision Pages14-24TheLouisRielSchoolDivision Pages25-26TheParkWestSchoolDivision Pages27-28ThePembinaTrailsSchoolDivision Pages29-30ThePortagelaPrairieSchoolDivision Pages31-33ThePrairieRoseSchoolDivision Page34TheRedRiverValleySchoolDivision Page35TheRiverEastTransconaSchoolDivision Page36TheRollingRiverSchoolDivision Page37TheSt.James-AssiniboiaSchoolDivision Pages38-39TheSeineRiverSchoolDivision Pages40-41TheSevenOaksSchoolDivision Pages42-44TheSouthwestHorizonSchoolDivision Page45TheSunriseSchoolDivision Page46TheTurtleMountainSchoolDivision Page47TheWinnipegSchoolDivision Pages48-53

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Division/District: The Border Land School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:• Purchaseofleveledandculturallyappropriatebooksforusebothincurriculumareasaswellas

generalbooksfortheschoollibraries• SeveralvisualresourceswerepurchasedandusedinELAandHistorycoursestoengagevisual

learners.• Nativestudiescoursewasofferedthroughthealternativeeducationcentre• ConsiderationgiventoteachingcoursesatGinewSchoolforadultlearnerstoavoidtransportation

constraints• Severalculturalspeakersandartistsintheschoolwerebroughtintotheschoolsforcultural

experiences• Abreakfastandlunchprogramwasdevelopedinseveralschoolstoenhanceapositivelearning

environment• Familieswereinvolvedinplanningandimplementingagroceryshoppingexcursiontoplanfor

healthymealchoices–throughthedivisionalsocialworker• Professionalstaff,trainedinReadingrecovery,washiredtocomeinparttimetoworkwithstudents

grades2to10onreadingwritingandcomprehension–ledtoincreasedattendance,increaseinself-esteem,greaterteachercollaboration

• Differentiatedinstructiontrainingtoimproveclassroominstructiontomeetmoreneedsofaboriginalstudents

• Opengymnightsoccurtocreateapositiverelationshipwiththeschool

Contact:KristaCurry|CarolBraunPosition:Superintendent|AssistantSuperintendentEmail:Curryk@borderland.ca|braunc@borderland.caTel:204-324-6491

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TheManitobaSchoolBoardsAssociationhascompiledinformationaboutsuccessfulprogramsorinitiativesinAboriginaleducationthathavebeenimplementedinManitobapublicschools.Thepurposeofthissurveyistocollectdatathatcanbesharedwithschooldivisionsacrosstheprovince,sothattheycanlearnfromeachother’sexperiencesandsharebestpracticesthatmayleadtoimprovedoutcomesforalllearners.

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Division/District: The Brandon School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education in BSD

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:• NativeEldersProgram• AboriginalCounsellor• BSSAPProgram(BuildingStudentSuccesswith

AboriginalParents)• CommunitySchoolsPartnershipInitiative(CSPI)• DaycareSpeechProgram• FindingMyWay• AboriginalAcademicAchievement(AAA)• TeacherProfessionalDevelopment

Native Elders Program AneedwasidentifiedbytheBrandonSchoolDivisionthatthereberolemodelsaccessibletostudentsandtoassistinprovidingknowledgeofanAboriginalCulturalperspectivewithintheclassroomsandwithincurriculumdevelopmentandotherrelevantdocuments.SincetheimplementationoftheNativeElder’sprogramintheBrandonSchoolDivisiontherehavebeenmanysuccessfulactivities.Thefirstresponsibilitywastocreateaworkingrelationshipwiththeschooladministrationatallschoolsandtocreateapartnershipwiththecounselors.Overtheyears,theElder’sprogramhasbeeninvolvedinmanyareasoftheSchoolDivision.Withintheclassroomtherehavebeenvariouspresentationssuchas:• Nativehistory;• selfgovernment;• traditionalteachings;• Dakotaphilosophy;• Aboriginalmusicandart;• games;and• dreaminterpretationinpsychologyclasses.

Aboriginal Counsellor WehaveoneAboriginalCounsellorwhoprovidesdirectedcounselingforAboriginalstudentsandprovidesfamilysupport.HerworkisfocusedattheK-8level,butisprimarilyatthemiddleyears.Asaresultshedoescarryoverinherprojectworktotheearlyhighschoolyears,andinparticulardoesextensiveworkwithhighriskpre-andearlyteenyouth.

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BSSAP Program (Building Student Success with Aboriginal Parents) Theprogramsthathavebeenestablishedhaveassistedinbuildingsolidandconsistentnetworkingrelationshipswithvariedcommunityorganizationssuchas:BrandonFriendshipCentreandYouthCentre,MetisFederation,BrandonUniversity,DOTC/CFS,AssiniboineCommunityCollege,SiouxValleySchool,etc.ThevalueoftheBSSAPgrantisshownintheincreasednumbersofparentandgrandparentinvolvement,alongwithincreasedrequestsforperformances,workshopsandoutofschoolparticipationinourprogramandschool.Thelargercommunityisrecognizingthatthisisaprojectthatmodelsmoreinclusiveeducation,theimportanceofculturetoidentityandtheimportanceoftheinvolvementofparentsandcommunity.Ongoingprogramsinclude:• B.A.S.I.C.(BuildingAboriginalStudentIdentityCircles);• BoysDrumming;• RoundDanceHandDrummingandSinging;• GirlsHandDrummingandTraditionalSinging;• Girls/Mother/GrandmotherClub;• Weekly“CommunityPowwow”Dancing;• AwasisakPowwow;• BSSAPAboriginalParentCircles;• HealthyKidsClubandDiabetesAwareness;and• Communityactivitiesandperformances.Community Schools Partnership Initiative (CSPI) TheCommunitySchoolPartnershipInitiative(CSPI)isdesignedtosupportschoolsinlowsocio-economiccommunitiesenhancingeducationoutcomesbydevelopingandstrengtheningpartnerships.TheCSPIismeanttobealong-termefforttoencouragefamilies,organizationsandschoolstoworktogethertoimprovestudents’successandstrengthencommunities.Communityschoolsstrengthentheparent/schoolrelationshipandencourageawiderangeofactivityinaneighbourhood.Parents,community,students,andservicedeliveryagenciescometogetherinthecommunityschool’swelcomingenvironment,nurturingagreatersenseofinter-dependenceandcommunityspirit.Theschoolprovidesagatheringplacewhereadultsandchildrenareprovidedopportunitiesforeducation,social,culturalandrecreationalactivities.

Daycare Speech ProgramBrandonSchoolDivisionprovidesSpeechLanguagePathology(SLP)servicestothreedaycares,twoofwhichareoperatedbyAboriginalsupportagencies.Throughouttheyear,aSpeechLanguagePathologistprovidesdiagnosticservicestothedaycares.Additionally,twoSLPEducationAssistantsprovideregularinterventionforalloftheparticipantsoftheprogram.

Finding My Way AnewinitiativewasdevelopedatHarrisonMiddleSchool–nowmovedtoNewEra,andexpandedintoGeorgeFittonandKingGeorgeSchool,tokeepMiddleYearsstudentsengagedwithschool.FindingMyWayfocusesonthepersonaldevelopmentofstudentsusingtraditionalperspectives,conceptsandtoolsfromAboriginalcommunities.Ithashadpositiveinitialresultsandisshowingfurthersuccesswiththeexpansionoftheprogramthisyear.

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Aboriginal Academic Achievement (AAA) • Atthehighschoollevel,arangeofprogramdeliveryoptionsprovidedirectsupportsforthe

academicprogressofstudents.Additionaldirectsupportisprovidedthroughafull-timeAAAWorkerateachhighschool.Theservicemodelvariesfromschooltoschoolbasedonthestrengthsoftheindividuals–fromdirectEducationalAssistantsupportintheclassrooms,facilitationofaccesstoschoolandcommunityresources,homeliaisonandattendancemonitoringsupport.Thismodelhasprovidedsomeparticularsuccesswithouryounger,grade9and10students.

• Additionalsupportfromthisgrantiscurrentlyprovidedtofourofourcoreareaschoolstoprovideadditionalacademicsupports,primarilyaroundliteracyatthegrade3and4levels.Trendsinourassessmentresultsindicatethatwearehavingsuccessinthisarea.TheDivisionprovidesadditionalresourcestohaveLiteracySupportProgramsinallofourschools.Whiletheinitiativehasresultedinsignificantgrowthformanystudents,ithasprovidedforsignificantgrowthforstudents,inparticularouryoungmaleAboriginalstudents.

• Ouroff-campusinitiativeforhighschoolstudentshasencouragedmanyolderAboriginalstudentstore-engagewithhighschool.Currentlywehave,intherangeof,fourty-fivepercent(45%)ofourover200studentswithAboriginalbackgrounds.Ofthestudentswhocontinuewiththeprogram,eightypercent(80%)ofmoreoftheAboriginalstudentsaregraduating,actuallyatastatisticallysignificanthigherratethanournon-Aboriginalstudents.

Teacher Professional Development WearecurrentlywrappingupyeartwoinourimplementationoftheManitobaEducationdocument“FromCulturalAwarenesstoCulturalCompetency”.Thetraininghasfocusedonintegratingaboriginalperspectives/issuesintoregularcurriculumasrecommendedbyManitobaEducation.Wetrainedtwelvestaffas“Trainers”inthe2009/2010schoolyear.TohavemaximumimpactDivisionally,andtoensurethatthe“trainers”arenotoverwhelmedwehavebuiltEarlyYears,MiddleYearsandSeniorYearsteamsofthreeprofessionalstaffeach.Thisyear’ssessionsweredeliveredinNovember/December2010withfollowupsessionsApril/Mayof2011.

Contact:Name:GregMalazdrewiczPosition:AssociateSuperintendentE-mail:malazdrewicz.greg@brandonsd.mb.caTel:204-729-3105

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Division/District: The Evergreen School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education Program

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:EachschoolwithinEvergreenSchoolDivisionisinvolvedintheAboriginalEducationProgram.SchoolstaffsupportstheintegrationofAboriginalperspectivesinthecurriculum.Aboriginalawarenessactivitiesandculturalopportunitiesareofferedthroughouttheschoolyear.

Program Vision:Aboriginaleducationisforallstudents.Program Mission:TopromoteAboriginalperspectivesandimprovesuccessofAboriginalstudentsinthedivision.The Program Plan Consists of Five Components: AboriginalAwareness,ResourceDevelopment,IntegrationofAboriginalPerspectivesintotheCurriculum,Communications,andAboriginalIdentityandBelongingnessAboriginal Educator:AnAboriginalEducatorworkswiththestaffandstudentsinalldivisionschoolsintheareaofAboriginaleducation.ClasspresentationsaredoneonaregularbasistoincludetheAboriginalperspectiveinthecurriculumwhereitbelongs.Supportandresourcesareprovidedtostudents,staffandparents.ThiscreatesapositivelearningclimateandsenseofbelongingforAboriginalstudents.

Examples of Aboriginal Education Program Initiatives in Evergreen School Division:• AboriginalResourceCollection–Holdingshavebeencompiledwiththemesandsubjectareasto

correspondtocurriculumareasfromKindergartentoGrade12.Thereareover3600itemsintheCollection.IfateacherisdoingbookstudiesorliteraturecirclesthenbooksonlegendsandartcardsfromtheAboriginalCollectioncanenhancewhattheycoverinthecurriculum.Staffutilizesresourcesonaregularbasis.

• AboriginalAwarenessActivities–Storytellers,artistsintheschools,drummers,traditionaldancers,communitypartnershipsandothereventsarescheduledaspartofeachschoolsplan.

• AboriginalPerspective-Incorporatedintoclassroomsonaregularbasisthroughoutallareasofthecurriculumaswellasintodivisionalactivities.

• AboriginalLifelongLearningModel–Communitymembers,parentsanddivisionalstaffplannedanddevelopedanAboriginalLifelongLearningModel.Thiswasconvertedintoposterformatanddistributedtoallschools,classroomsandofficeswithinthedivision.

Contact:Name:PennyRossPosition:AboriginalEducatorE-mail:pross@esd.mb.caTel:204-642-8546

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Division/District: The Flin Flon School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Building Student Success with Aboriginal Parents

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:Theorganizingcommitteeismadeupofcommunitymembers,communityagencies,andschooldivisionstaff.Thispastyearactivitiesincludedtwocommunity/schoolfeasts,presentationstostudentsbyDakotaHouseandScottWard,supportforstudentstoattendtheThompsonAboriginalYouthConference,stonecaring,Creelessons,curricularresources,NationalAboriginalWeekactivities,teepeepurchase,ceremonyandteachings.

Contact:Name:BlaineVeitchPosition:SuperintendentE-mail:bveitch@ffsd.mb.caTel:204-681-3413

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Division/District: The Hanover School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Promoting Aboriginal Awareness in Hanover Schools

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:Purpose:oftheAAAgrantinHanoverSchoolDivision1. Provideactivitiesforallstudentsthatpromoteaboriginalperspectivesintheareasofcurriculum,

instruction,assessment,classroommanagement,andschoolorganization.2. Increaseaboriginalawarenessinallourschoolsforallstudentsandstaff,bysupportingprofessional

developmentandcollaborativeplanningamongteachers,principals,specialists,supportstaffparents,andthecommunity

Intervention Strategy:• HanoverSchooldivisionhasanAAAconsultanttofacilitateteammeetingsandprofessional

developmentfortheAAAteam.• OnerepresentativefromeachschooljoinsthedivisionalAAAteam.Thispersonisinterestedin

Aboriginalissues,worksdirectlywithAboriginalstudents,orisinvestedinembeddingaboriginalperspectiveacrossthecurricula.ThecommitmenttotheAAAteamisfor1schoolyear.

• ThreetofourteammeetingsayeararefacilitatedbythedivisionalAAAconsultant.ProfessionaldevelopmentwithManitobaEducationconsultantsisorganized.Listsofpossibleprojectsaredeveloped.AnevaluationofprojectsisthefocusoffinalmeetinginMay.

• Teammemberspromoteideasandinitiativesintheirschools.Ideasforprojects,performers,andpurchasesofresourcesmaycomefromanystafforcommunitymembers.Eachschoolsubmitsaproposalfortheprojectorprogram,projectingcostsandexpenses.

• TheAAAreviewcommittee,whichincludestheAssistantSuperintendentofStudentServicesandthedivisionalAAAconsultant,approvestheproposalsthatmeettheabovecriteriaandallocatesfundsaccordingly.

• SchoolactivitiesprojectsapprovedincludepresentationsbyMichaelManyeaglesandJoeMcLellan,soapstonecarvings,storytelling,drummingandtraditionalmusic,fieldtripstotheForkstoparticipateinNationalAboriginalDay,monthlythemeassembliesusingtheSevenAboriginalteachings,presentationsontraditionalhomesandtipibuilding.

Contact:GeriHarder-RobsonPosition:AssistantSuperintendentofStudentServicesE-mail:grobson@hsd.caTel:204-326-9829

 

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Division/District: Interlake School Division

Descriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative (complete on a separate page, if required):AboriginalEducationProgramPlan:1.AboriginalIdentityandBelongingness:• ToidentifywaystosupportAboriginalstudentsindevelopingasenseofbelongingatschool• ToidentifyandprovideculturalconnectionsforAboriginalstudents• ToidentifyactivitiestopromoteAboriginalprideinAboriginalstudents• ToprovideopportunitiestogaincreditsinNativeStudies

2.AboriginalAwareness• ToofferAboriginalpresentations/activitiestoallstudents,staff,andcommunitymembers• ToprofileAboriginalresourceswithstudents.Staff,andcommunitymembers• ToassistschoolsinimplementingAboriginalperspectivesinschoolandclassroomactivities

3.ResourceDevelopment• TomaintainaninventoryofdivisionalresourcesforAboriginalawareness/educationasrecommended

byprovincialcurricula,TheAboriginalDirectorate,anddivisionalstaff• TomaintainafileofnewspaperarticlesofcontemporaryAboriginalissues• TodevelopaStudentInitiatedCourseforNativeStudiesintheInterlakeSchoolDivision

4.IntegrationintoCurriculum:• TodemonstratetoteachershowAboriginalperspectivescanbeintegratedintoallsubjectareas• Toprovidehumanandeducationalresourcesforintegrativeactivities• ToprovideclassroompresentationsonAboriginalperspectives• Tocoordinateprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities• ToconsultwithotherAboriginaleducators

5.Communications•ToprovidecareerdevelopmentandscholarshipinformationforAboriginalstudents•Toshareinformationabouteducationalandculturalactivitieswithschools

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Thesegoalshavebeenmetthroughactivitiessuchas:• Stonewall CollegiateGirlsCulturalAwarenessGroup• Teulon CollegiateAboriginalMonth(highlightedintheWEDaynewsletter) -ServingAboriginalcuisineintheJackPotStudentCafé; -HostedaschoolPowWowincludinglocaldancers; -StudentinitiatedFirstNationsWaterProject; -SponsoringaFirstNationsschoollibrary; -WinterFestivalwithanAboriginalfocus• Teulon Elementary School:AboriginalDayCelebrationhighlightinglocaldancersandfiddlersinanAborigi-

nalthemeActivityday• Woodlands School :SchoolwideAboriginalthemedActivityDay• Warren CollegiateGirl’sCulturalGroup• Grosse IsleBoy’sCulturalGroup• R.W.Bend School:MetisfiddlersanddancersaspartoffestivalDuVoyager,MichaelKusagukguestauthor• Omega Colony School:StarBlanketProject• Concord Colony School:SevenTeachingsProject• Mallard Colony School:AboriginalPerspectivesProject• SchoolsaccessingresourcematerialstoinfuseAboriginalperspectivesintoallsubjectareasatallgrade

levels• SchoolbasedguestspeakersContact:SiobhanFaulknerPosition:AssistantStudentServicesAdministratorE-mail:sfaulkner@isd21.mb.caPhone:204-791-5228

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Division/District: The Kelsey School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education Initiatives

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other–LanguageDevelopment

Description of Program/Initiative:AboriginalEducationCommittee–focusfordivisionanduseofAAAGrant• developandshareactivitiesandprogramswithlocalFirstNationsSchool.• middleschoolGrade6Creeoptionclass.• alternateProgramminginMaryDuncan–culturalinclusionandallowsagegroupingfromchildcare

toadulteducation.• ongoingdatacollectionandtrackingofselfidentifiedFirstNationsinnumeracy,literacyand

graduationpatterns.• participationinMuseumNorthprogramdevelopment–2staffoncommittee–developingteaching

kitswithlocalAboriginalthemes.• developingacentrallibraryforresourcesofallkinds.• integrationofculturalelementsintoclassroomcurriculumandsupplementprogrammingwith

eventsfeaturingfeasts,guestartists,eldersandstorytellers

Contact:Name:CecileAffleck Position:StudentServicesCoordinatorE-mail:caffleck@ksd.mb.caTel:204-623-6421

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Division/District: The Lord Selkirk School Division Descriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education Initiatives

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other-improvingAboriginalself-awareness

Description of program/initiative: WithintheLordSelkirkSchoolDivision,thereareavarietyofinitiativestakingplacetopromoteAboriginalEducation.Attachedbelowareexamplesoftheinitiativesoccurringineachschool.Schoolcontactinformationhasalsobeenprovided.

Contact:Name:ArleneKindenPosition:AboriginalPerspectivesLeadTeacherE-mail:akinden@lssd.caTel:204-482-4521

Centennial School Descriptive title of program/initiative: Seven Sacred Teachings

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• Other

Description of program/initiative:• Classroomsincorporatedsharingcirclesintotheirdailyroutines.• LibrarypurchasedseveralbooksonAboriginallegends,mythsandtraditionalstories.• Classroomsmadedreamcatchers,soapstonecarvings,drums,turtlerattlesandtalkingsticks.• Guestspeakerscameintotheclassroomstospeakaboutthesevensacredteachings.• Tipilessonsweretaughtateachgradelevelandschoolshowcasedthedivisionaltipi.• SevenSacredTeachingsarebeingtaughtineachclassroom,showcasedatassembliesandincluded

innewsletters.• Invitedlocaldrumminggrouptoaschoolassembly.

School Contact:SharisseBrown|LoriWiebePosition:Gr.2Teacher|ResourceE-mail:sbrown@lssd.ca|lweibe@lssd.caTel:204-482-3265

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East Selkirk Middle SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: AAA – Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:• TheschoolintroducedtheSevenSacredTeachingsschoolwideasits‘virtues’program.• Wepurchasedapproximately200poundsofsoapstoneandavarietyofcarvingtools.Students

wereintroducedtotheartofsoapstonecarving.• DuringFestivalduVoyageur,theFrenchteachersorganizedeventssuchasstorytelling,storywriting,

games(indoorandoutdoor),snowsculpting,etc.

School Contact:RitaProcyshynPosition:ArtTeacherE-mail:rprocyshyn@lssd.caTel:204-785-2036

École BonaventureDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• OtherDescription of program/initiative:OurschoolhasbeenmovingforwardthroughtheIntegratingAboriginalPerspectivescontinuumandhasfocusedonAcademic&Culturalintegration.Wehave:• InvitedaFrenchMétisartisttosharethetraditionofaboriginallegendsandtheartofsoapstone

carvingandsnowcarvingwithourgrade5&6staffandstudents.• ContinuedtobuildresourcesthroughthepurchaseofmaterialsinFrench(i.e.posters,books,music,

videos)thatrepresentthetraditionalvalues,beliefsandwaysoflifeforAboriginalpeople.Byhavingthesematerialsavailable,wewillhavethebasistobuildagreaterawarenessofAboriginalcultureintoavarietyofunitsofstudythroughoutthecurriculum.

• PlannedactivitiesthatcelebratebothFrench&MétisAboriginalculture,duringoneweekinFebruaryforFestivalduVoyageur.

School contact:JocelyneSavoiePosition:VicePrincipalE-mail:jsavoie@lssd.caTel:204-785-8284

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Daerwood SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: 7 Sacred Teachings

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:Theteachersincorporatedthe7sacredteachingsintotheireverydayclassroom.Eachclasswasresponsibleforsharingatanassembly.Eachclassalsodidabigposterthatwasthenputupinthehallways.WealsowenttoOakHammockMarshthisyearforAboriginalDayandtookpartinstorytellingandotheractivitiesthatwereoffered.WehavealsodoneanAboriginalDayattheschoollevelwhereweincorporatedavarietyofactivitiesalongwithvariouspresenterssuchasahoopdancerandPowWowgroups.OurlibrarianalsosharedAboriginalstorieswithalltheclassesinanefforttoincreaseawareness.

School Contact: Name:DarcelleSaundersPosition:PrincipalE-mail:dsaunders@lssd.caTel:204-482-4326

Ecole Selkirk Junior HighDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Studies/ Aboriginal Awareness

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other-improvingaboriginalself-Awareness

Description of program/initiative: Grade 8 Aboriginal Studies programThisprogramrunsinconjunctionwiththeGrade8Artprogram.Theyrunsidebyside,thestudentswhoareintheArtprogramtakeArtforhalfayear,thentakeAboriginalStudiesfortheotherhalfayear.TheGrade8AboriginalStudiesprogramisanart-basedcourse.Studentsstudydifferentindigenousculturesandthencreateaprojectreflectiveofthatculture.Example:studyoftheMaoricultureinNewZealandandthestudentspainted“mokos”-facialtattoosontheirfacesindesignsthatrepresentedthemselves.Thecourseistoopenupawarenessofworldindigenousculturestothestudents,toseethattheissuesthatmanyindigenousculturesarefacingareparalleltotheissuesthattheAboriginalpeople’sofCanadaarefacing.Thiscourseisalsodiscussionbasedandspeakersandfieldtripsarebookedthroughouttoreflectthecurrenttopic.StudentsalsodevelopadeeperunderstandingandappreciationoftheAboriginalculturethroughparticipatinginsmudgeceremonyandSharingCircle.

Thisprogramisopentoallstudents.

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Grade 9 Aboriginal Studies programThisprogramisanelectivecourseopentoallstudents,althoughthemajorityofthestudentswhotakethiscoursehaveanaboriginalbackground.Thiscoursefocusesonthehistoricalandcontemporaryimpactoftreaties,residentialschools,culturaltraditions,andthestateofaboriginalcommunitiesinCanada,withthefocusbeinginManitoba.ThiscourserunsparallelwiththeGrade9SocialStudiescurriculum,butwhiletheGrade9SSonlytouchesoncertaintopics,theGrade9AboriginalStudiescoursetakestheseaboriginalperspectivesandgoesmuchdeeperintoeachtopic.Studentsdevelopamoresenseofawarenessabouttheiridentity,betheyaboriginalornon-aboriginal.StudentsalsodevelopadeeperunderstandingandappreciationoftheAboriginalculturethroughparticipatinginsmudgeceremonyandSharingCircle.Unitendprojectsarestudentoriented,andpresentedeitherdigitallyorpersonally.Speakers,fieldtripsandworkshopsarescheduledthroughout,dependingonthecurrenttopic.

Aboriginal AwarenessThisawarenessinitiativeisrelayedthroughouttheschool,ineitherschoolartprojects(murals,presentations),orintegrationofperspectivesintosubjectareas:example:theMichifLanguageintoBasicFrench,theMetisandtheirroleduringthefurtradeforLeFestivalduVoyageurforBasicFrench,thesciencebehindthetipiforgrade7ScienceForcesandStructures,AboriginalArtClubheldduringTalentDevelopment,theuseofnewsoftwaretechnology(MouseMischief)tomakelessonsmoredynamicandinteractive.TheinclusionofAboriginalStudentsandtheirfamiliesintotheAboriginalStudiesprogramssothattheybecomecomfortabletalkingandsharingabouttheiridentity.Grade9ELAStorytelling,andtheuseofaboriginallegendsandstoriesinGrade7ELAtoreflectthecreativityofshortstoriesandhowtheycanbeportrayedindifferentformatsratherthanjustpaper.

AsoneoftheschoolsintheLordSelkirkdivision,weareveryluckytohavesixaboriginaleducatorswhoareveryproudoftheirheritageandwho

arewillingtoshareitwiththeirstudents.Theseaboriginaleducatorsarededicated,andpositiverolemodelstotheAboriginalpopulationinourschool.Beingpositiverolemodels,showsourAboriginalstudentsthattheycanlookpastthestereotypesandbesuccessfulinanyoftheirendeavors.

TheAboriginalStudiesteacherisalsoavailabletotheteachersforresources,lessonplansandteam-teachingofanyaboriginalperspectivesthattheymayunfamiliarwith,orevenunsureofhowtodiscusswiththeirstudents.Havingthisresourceavailabletotheteachersisintegraltomaintainingthepositiveculturallysensitiveatmosphereofthejuniorhighschool.

School Contact:Ms.JacquelineBercierPosition:AboriginalStudiesTeacherE-mail:jbercier@lssd.caTel:204-785-8514

Happy Thought SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: Integration of Aboriginal Education into our Early Years School focusing on literacy and numeracy

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothe

curriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:Ourpurposeistointegrateaboriginaleducationintoourentireschoolculture.Wehavecelebratedthesevensacredteachingsinourmonthlyvirtuesprogram,purchasedabeautifulsevensacredteachingsreadingrugforourupstairsreadingarea,purchasedleveledaboriginalbookstoincorporateintoourguidedreading,startedstorysacksforourentireschooltouseduringindoorrecess,invitedasoapstonecarverintosharehis

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talentwithallourGrade4students,invitedanaboriginalwriterintoworkwithourearlyyearswriters,purchasedaboriginalresourcesforourteacherstouse,andpurchasedaboriginalbooksforourlibrary,creatingarichculturalareainconjunctionwithourUkrainianbooks.

School Contact:Name:NancyLovenjakPosition:PrincipalE-mail:nlovenjak@lssd.caTel:204-482-4521

Lockport SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: AAA – Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other:BuildingConnectionstoSchoolandPeers

Description of program/initiative:• Novelsetwillbepurchasedandresourcewillco-teachthenovelwiththeELAteacherbasedon

protagonistofFirstNations.• Prideestablishedasfieldtripsoccurredtovariousaboriginalcelebrations/educationfacilities• Groupmeetingsofstudentstofacilitatefriendshipswithstaffandstudentstokeepanddeepen

students’desiretostayinschoolSchool Contact: BrandieLevPosition:ResourceTeacherE-mail:blev@lssd.caTel:204-757-9881

Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Studies/ Aboriginal Awareness

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other-improvingaboriginalself-awareness

Description of program/initiative:• MBEducationapprovedcourse–FirstNations,MetisandInuitStudies40S–isofferedtostudents• Full-timeAboriginalcounselor,providesguidanceandsupporttomeettheneedsofallaboriginal

students,andhelpsnewstudentsfromreservesadapttothesetting• AboriginalStudentCenterprovidesahomebase,homeworkhelp,andEducationalAssistanthelp

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• “Pilot”teachertobeaddedtoourAboriginalStudentCentertoworkwithat-riskaboriginalstudentsdirectly

• Awardprogramsforaboriginalstudents• CommunitybasedPASSProgram(Promoting

AboriginalStudentSuccess)recognizesformerstudentsofaboriginalheritage,providesinspirationforcurrentstudents,exposesthemtoaboriginalsuccessstories,anddemonstratescommunitysupport

• IndividualizedSelfPacedLearninghashelpedanumberofaboriginalstudentssucceedwhentheymayhavestruggledinaregularclassroom

• Aboriginalstudentsareinvolvedinschoolwideat-riskmentorshipprogram

• Curricularareas–likesocialstudiesandEnglishlanguagearts–incorporate/infuseaboriginalperspectivesincurricula

School Contact: VickiCielenPosition:PrincipalEmail:vcielen@lssd.caTel:204-482-6926

Mapleton SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives into the Curriculum

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothe

curriculum• OtherDescription of program/initiative:AtMapletonSchool,theaimhasbecometoinfuseaboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculumbyimplementingandthenmaintainingaschoolwideprogramof“LearningThroughtheArts”.Eachgradewillintroduceanartisticelement/conceptrelatingtotheAboriginalculturesofCanadatotheirstudents.Thentheseconceptswillserveasabasisforcreatingaworkofart.K-Wintercount

1–Tipi2–Pinchpots3–Totempoles4–Dreamcatchers5–Birchbark6-Loombeading

Thisworkwasdisplayedwithdetailsonthemeaningandproductionandthenviewedbyeachgrade.Everystudentwillnowhavetheopportunitytolearnaboutadifferentartisticelementineachgrade.Theschoolcontinuestoinviteinvisitingartists/educatorstohelpstudent’sandstaff’sunderstandingofaboriginalculture.

Wecontinuetointegrateaboriginalperspectivesthrough:• Fieldtrips• Aboriginalliterature• Mathactivities(games/probability)• Gymactivities(games,sports,winter

activities)• SocialstudiesandFrenchCurriculums• Purchasingresources

School Contact:GinaDoylePosition:ResourceTeacherE-mail:gdoyle@lssd.caTel:204-482-4409

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Robert Smith School Descriptive title of program/initiative: Building Student Success

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:• Afterschooldrumminggroupeverysecondweekfrom3:30-4:40pm• Fallcommunitybuildingactivity–Studentswereencouragedtocomewithafamilymember.• StudentsdrummedatanassemblyfortheVirtueofRespect• Heldadrummingwintersolsticefeast• HostedTipiTeachingswithBrianMcLeod.BrianwasaSundanceChiefoftheNorthShoreSakeeng

Sundance.• PromotedAboriginalcultureinourLiteratureprogram• OfferedaCoffeeClubforparents• Grade4overnighttriptothemuseum• AboriginalCelebrationWeekinJune

School Contact: StephenDudarPosition:PrincipalE-mail:sdudar@lssd.caTel:204-482-3677

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Ruth Hooker SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: Building Student Success

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative: Seven Sacred Teachings• RuthHookerSchoolhasincorporatedtheSevenSacredTeachingsintoourdailyroutines.Eachmonth

wearepresentedwithanewteachingtolearn.Thiscontinuedthroughouttheentireyearwitheachclassassignedanewteachingtolearnaboutandprepareapresentationattheendofthemonthtosharewiththeschool.SeptemberwasanintroductiontotheSevenSacredTeachings.

September–Introductionofall7SacredteachingsOctober–Respect(buffalo)November–Courage(bear)December/January–Love(eagle)February–Wisdom(beaver)March/April–Honesty(honesty)May–Humility(wolf)June–Truth(turtle)

Building Success with Parents• InDecemberasagifttoallparentsofRuthHookerSchool,afamilyphotowastakenofeachchild

intheschoolwiththeirfamily.Ifparentswerenotavailablethenaphotoofjustthechild/childrenweretaken.ThesephotoswerethenframedandgiftwrappedandgiventothefamiliesasagiftatChristmas.

• WeinvitedsomeofourparentstojoinusatthebeginningoftheyeartocometoourBSSAPgathering.Thisallowedallofustoshareincreating/planningnewideasforourstudentsandourschool.

• LocalartistMarkGuibochewasinthegrade6classsharinghisartistictalentsforthreedays.Heisaparentofoneofthestudentsingrade6.MarkGuiboucheisoriginallyfromWinnipeg,ManitobaandtreatytotheBloodveinFirstNation.Guibouchehasauniquestyleofworkingwithacrylicandinktocreatepaintingswithdefined,boldlinesandvibrantcolours.Guiboucheisaself-taughtartistwhousesthisdistinctivestyletoreflectcontemporaryaboriginalartthatrepresentstheconnectionbetweenthespiritandearth.Thegrade6studentsproducedsomebeautifulartpieces.

• ChristineHarcusourSchoolAttendanceLiasonbringsgroupsofparentstogetheronFridaysforCoffeeGroup-fieldtrips,baking,zumba,etc.

• MarvelousMondays(Mondayafter-school-7families)–Facilitatorsworktobringfamiliestogethertoteachtheimportanceofstayinginschoolandliteracy.Theysharedamealtogether,familyactivities,breakoutsessions–pre-school&schoolage.

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Boys Group• BackgroundInfo:OurAboriginalmaleyouth

areinneedofasafeenvironmenttoself-expressandgainasenseofbelonging.OvertheyearsthecrimeratewithinourAboriginalmaleyouthpopulationhasrisensignificantly.Thisisveryalarmingandrequiresimmediateattention.OurAboriginalmaleyoutharesearchingforanswersabouttheirjourney.Butbeforetheycanexplorethatjourneytheyneedaplacetohealandaskquestions.

• BeginninginOctober2010,KevinKipling(BSWHealthandWellnessSpecialist)wasatRuthHookerSchooltobeginaprogramcalledYoungBrothersofRedNationWorkingGroup.Thiscontinuedintothespring.HeworkedwithagroupofAboriginalmaleyouthsfrombothgrades5and6.Thisgroupmetonceaweekfortwelveweeks.Themainobjectiveoftheworkinggroupwastoofferasafesettingforourmaleyouthtoaskquestionsandself-express.Theweeklymeetingsweresimilartoasharingcirclesetting.Adifferenttopicwasexploredeachsession.

Topicsincluded:• GangAwareness• Bullying• Respect• BoundarySetting• HealthyFamilySetting• RoleofMaleYouthinourCommunities• Communication• Relationships• BehaviourManagementStrategies

Attheendofthesessions,Kevinheldacelebrationwiththeboysandtheirparents.Theyweretreatedtolunchandtheboyswerepresentedwithaspecialgiftofabearclawnecklace.

Aboriginal WeekForAboriginalweekourdivisionaltipiissetupinourlibraryandclassesareallowedtogoinsidetoreadandholddiscussions.Tostartofftheweekapowerpointpresentationwaspresentedtothe

schoolinanassemblytointroducethestudentstothetipiandgivethemabetterunderstandingofhowthetipiissetup,thesignificanceofthepolesandtheproperetiquettewhileenteringthetipi.ThroughouttheweekwehadspecialguestsinourbuildingtohelpustoincorporateAboriginalperspectivesintoourclassrooms.Herewerethepresentationsthatwehad:

Louis Riel Institute–TheysetupstationsinourgymforthestudentstocirculatethroughtoengageindifferentactivitiesinvolvinglearningaboutthehistoryoftheMétispeople.TheafternoonendedwithaperformancebyayoungMetisjigger,TonyLindo,fromWinnipeg.

Jacquie Bourcier,anaboriginalstudiesteacherinL.S.S.D,discussedthemedicinewheel,medicines,anddidasmudgeoutside.Thebeginningofthepresentationwasinthegymwithapowerpointandthenstudentswentoutsideforasmudge.

Sandra Ross–Allclassesparticipated.Studentssatinasharingcirclewithboysinthenorthandgirlsinthesouth.Shetalkedaboutmakingatobaccoofferingbeforeharvestingfromthewildandthenshemadeonetalkingstickforeachclass,explainingtheitemsshewasattachingtothestickandthemeaningbehindthem.Onceshefinishedshepresentedthetalkingsticktotheteacher.Shethensmudgedwiththestudentswithsage.Thentherewasasharingcircle.Sheexplainedhowthestickwasusedandtherulesofthecircle.Therewasadiscussionledbytheteacherastowhattheywoulddooverthesummer.

Diane Cross(aformerEA)wasattheschooltotalktothegrade5&6classesintheirroomsaboutherjourneyandhowsheguidestheAboriginalyouthoftoday.SheisaspiritualleaderwhoworksforMetisChildandFamilyServicesinWinnipeg.

Donna Sutherland –alocalAboriginalauthor.ShehaswrittenbooksaboutChiefPeguisandisintheprocessofwritingachildren’sbookabouthim.Shesharedthewritingprocesswiththestudentsandwhatittakestoputabooktogether.

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School Contact: TamaraDeiContPosition:PrincipalE-mail:tdeicont@lssd.caTel:204-482-3614

St. Andrews SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives into the Curriculum

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothe

curriculum• Other

Description of program/initiative:• AstorytellerwasinvitedtotheschoolduringI

LovetoReadMonth(February)andprovidedourgrade3,4,and5studentswithwonderfulstoriesaboutherlife.

• Loomsandbeadingmaterialshavebeenpurchasedandorganizedinaportablecart.Groupsofstudentscreatetheirownpatterns.

• Clayandpaintshavebeenpurchasedandusedtocreateclaybowlswiththegrade5students.

• Ayearlycalendarofeventswasestablishedwhichidentifiesspecificactivities/eventsforeachschoolmonthoftheyearandindicateswhichgradelevelwillbetakingpartintheactivity/event(e.g.,Novemberactivitymaybemakingclaybowlswiththegrade5’s).Someactivitieswillremainthesamefromyeartoyear.Bythetimestudentsleavetheschoolingrade6theywouldhavehadtheopportunitytoparticipateinalloftheactivities.

• Asoapstonecarverwasinvitedtospendthedaywithgrades4and5.

• BookbinsforgradesK-3havebeenestablished.EachbincontainsstorieswithanAboriginaltheme.Thesebinsarepassedaroundtheclassrooms.

• ArtactivitiesanddisplaymaterialspromotingawarenesshavebeenpurchasedfromtheNativeReflectionscatalogue.

• NovelscontaininganAboriginalthemehavebeenpurchasedforuseinthegrade6classroomsforliteracycircles.

• Talkingstickshavebeenpreparedforeachclassroom.

• EveryyearatipiiserectedinthelibraryfortwoweeksinMay.Studentsaregivenabriefhistoryandtaughthowtousethetipirespectfully.

School Contact:NancyBarganPosition:ResourceTeacherE-mail:nbargan@lssd.caTel:204-334-6083

Walter Whyte SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: AAA – Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothe

curriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:Grade8&9studentsweretaughtanAboriginalStudiescurriculum.

InMarch,wehadTedLongbottomvisitourschoolforaweek.Duringthistime,avarietyofactivitiesoccurred:• Wrotesongs• LearnedaboutanddressedlikeMétishunters

andbuffalo• Performedaskit• Drewpictures

School Contact: Name:MelodyTully Position:KindergartenteacherE-mail:mtully@lssd.caTel:204-754-2240

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William S. Patterson SchoolDescriptive title of program/initiative: AAA – Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program (check all that apply):• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other

Description of program/initiative:• Grade4studentssharedinformationabouttheSevenSacredTeachingsataschoolassembly.• PennyRossworkedwithclassestomakespecialtalkingsticksfortheirclassroomsandthenleda

sharingcirclewiththeclass.• Schoolactivitiesincluded:birchbarkbiting,visitformaboriginalauthorDonnaSutherland,

musicalpresentationbytheBogBoys,school-widejigging,makinginuksuks,learninghowtosmudge,

School Contact: LindaBreakeyPosition:Grade4teacherE-mail:breakey@lssd.caTel:204-738-4700

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Division/District: The Louis Riel School Division Descriptive title of program/initiative: Footsteps Program

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative: Aboriginal Student Support ServicesGiventhelargeandever-increasingnumberofstudentsandfamiliesfromAboriginalbackgroundsintheDivision,anumberofprogramsandsupportshavebeenestablishedtoaddresssomeoftheuniqueneedsamongthiscommunityoflearners.AboriginalStudentSupportServiceshasbeenhousedintheReneDeleurmeCentrecomplexsince2005,originallyastheFootstepsprogram.Sincethattime,thisprogramareahasexpandedtoinclude5full-timeteachingstaff,3AboriginalCommunityLiaisonWorkers,andafull-timesupervisor.Thefollowingareareasoffocusthisyear:• Thegrade4andgrade6socialstudiesprogram:eachandeverygrade4andgrade6classroominthe

DivisionattendsReneDeleurmeCentreforahalfdayofculturalprogrammingintendedtocomplimentoutcomesintheprovincialsocialstudiescurriculum.ClassesarebusedtoRDCandareengagedinarangeofactivitiesanddiscussionsthattacklehistoricalmisperceptionsandsupporttheinclusionofaboriginalperspectives.

• Footstepsresourcecentreandsmudgeroom:tosupportstudents,teachersandschools,theDivisionmaintainsacomprehensivecollectionofmaterialsandresourcesonaboriginalissues,concernsandperspectives.Inaddition,asmudgeroomhasbeendevelopedforteachingandlearningpurposes,andtosupporttheappropriateinclusionofculturalpracticeswherewarranted.

• Grade9AboriginalTransitionProgram:thisprogramisintendedtosupporttheneedsofstudentsfromaboriginalbackgroundswhoareexperiencing2ormoreyearsofdelayinthedevelopmentofage-appropriateliteracyandacademicskills.Tofacilitateastrongertransitiontohighschool,thesestudentsspendahalfdayatRDC,receivingintensiveliteracyandacademicsupports,inadditiontoculturalsupportsintendedtobuildstrongidentitiesassuccessfullearners.Thestudentsthenreturntotheirhomeschoolforthesecondhalfoftheschoolday.

• AboriginalYouthLeadershipProgram:thisprogrambuildsleadershipcapacityinAboriginalyouthacrosstheDivision,andsupportsstudentsinundertakingleadershiprolesintheirhomeschools.StudentsparticipatinginthisgrouphavehistoricallyattendedanationalyouthleadershipconferenceinEdmontoninOctober.Thestudentsreceiveahighschoolcreditfortheirparticipationintheprogram.

• AboriginalGrade9and10CareerEducationCourses:incollaborationwithallofthehighschoolsintheDivision,thesecoursessupportcareerexplorationandcareerreadinessamongAboriginalyouth.Studentsreceiveahighschoolcreditfortheirparticipation.

• AboriginalStudentSupportinschools:inadditiontotheprogramsnotedabove,theAboriginalStudentSupportServicesteamcontinuestoprovidedirectsupporttostudentsandfamiliesthroughouttheDivisionincludingAboriginalSocialWorksupport.Thismayentailindividualizedinstructionalandacademicsupports,orsocialwork,culturalandothersupportinschoolsandthecommunity.

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• CurrentTopicsinFNMIStudies40S:thisschoolyear,theFootstepsprogramprovidesAboriginalteachingstafftoteachtheFNMIStudies40Sinthreeofoursevenhighschools.SimilarsupportswillbeprovidedtootherhighschoolsinLRSDthefollowingyear.Theintentofthissupportistohelpbuildcapacityintheschoolstosustaininstructionofthecourseinthefuture.

• ResourceCentre:alargeAboriginalresourcelibraryandclassroomspaceislocatedattheReneDeleurmeCentrethatisusedtosupportthecurricularneedsofclassroomteachersinLRSD.

Contact:Name:NeillJohnsonPosition:AssistantSuperintendentEmail:njohnson@lrsd.net Tel:204-257-7827

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Division/District: Park West School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Partnership with Waywayseecappo First Nation

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

WaywayseecappoFirstNationandParkWestSchoolDivisionhaveworkedtogethertoarticulateplansforanenhancededucationalpartnership.WearecurrentlyinvolvedinathreeyearpilotprojectundertheauspicesofINAC’sEducationalPartnershipPrograminwhichwewillcooperativelydelivereducationalservicestothechildrenofWaywayseecappo.Thisproposalrepresentsasignificantadvancementbeyondourpreviouseducationalserviceagreement.ThepilotpartnershiphastheschoolinWaywayseecappobeingredesignatedasaNurserytoGrade8institutionwiththehighschoolstudentsgoingtoParkWestschoolsinRussellandRossburn.INACisfundingtheschoolatthesamelevelasouraverageperstudentcostforthedivision.

Wewillimplementacomprehensiveplanfordatacollectionandanalyseswhichwillincludeexaminationofstudentattendance,courseenrolment,drop-outrates,graduationrates,andacademicachievement.Wewillalsotrackstudentdisciplineandbehaviourdata.Operationalcostswillbemonitoredcloselyforallareasincludingadministration,staffing,programmingandtransportation.Wewillplantosurveystudents,staff,parentsandcommunitymembers.Wewillalsoassessparentalinvolvementintermsofbothlevelsofinvolvementandqualityofinvolvement.Wewillidentifyspecificmeasurementtoolsorstandardsforobservingandcollectingeducationaldata.AlldatathatiscollectedwillbereportedtoINAConanannualbasis.

Anextensivestaffingplanwasdevelopedtosupportthepartnership.TheplanforprofessionalstaffallocationusesthesameframeworkbywhichtheschoolsinParkWestarestaffed.Thestaffingplanemphasizespreschooltrainingandschoolreadiness.LargeclasssizeswerereducedbyallocatingtwoteachersateverygradelevelfromNurserytoGrade8.Considerableattentionisalsobeinggiventoincreasingsupportsinthestudentservicesarea.TheschoolinWaywayseecappowillreceiveregularservicefromcliniciansincludingeducationalpsychologists,speechpathologists,andearlyliteracyspecialists.Allinterventionintheareaofspecialeducationwillbemonitoredandevaluatedonaregularbasis.

Recruitmentforthevacantstaffingpositionswillbeakeyfocus.WewillfocusonhiringstaffthatarehighlyskilledandexperiencedwithprioritygiventothosecandidateswhohaveFirstNationancestryandexperience.Wewillcontactregionaluniversitiesandpost-secondaryinstitutionsregardingthedevelopmentofeducationaltrainingprogramstosupportournewandfuturestaff.

Anextensiveplanwillbedevelopedforensuringcongruencyinprogramimplementation.AllprovincialcurriculawillbedeliveredandWaywayseecappostudentswillhaveaccesstoallDivisionalprograms.ThecurrentadulteducationprogramthatexistsinWaywayseecappowillbesustainedandenhanced.Wehavealsocreatedanoff-campusclassroomforat-riskyouthaged14-17.Therewillbeacontinuedfocuson

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communitylanguagedevelopment,specificallytheOjibwaylanguage.TheprofessionaldevelopmentplansParkWestSchoolDivisionwillbesharedwiththestaffofWaywayseecappotoallowaccesstoourprofessionallearningopportunities.

Communityinvolvementineducationwillbeacriticalpriority.WealreadyhaveapprovalfromtheMinisterofEducationtoallowforaTrusteerepresentativefromWaywayseecappo.Thiswillfurtherstrengthenoureducationalpartnership.

WeimaginethisprojecthavingenormousbenefitstoboththestudentsofWaywayseecappoandtoParkWestSchoolDivision.

Contact:Name:TimMendelPosition:CEO/SuperintendentEmail:tmendel@pwsd.ca Tel:204-842-2100

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Division/District: The Pembina Trails School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: See programs below

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:Warriors of the RainbowTheWarriorsoftheRainbowisavaluesprogrambasedontheSevenSacredTeachingsoftheOjibwaypeople.Theprogramcentersaroundsevenvalues:love,truth,humility,courage,honesty,wisdomandrespect.FirstNationpeopleareportrayedinapositivelight,highlightingtheircontributions,heroes,worldviewandculture.Onevalueaweekormonthispresentedwithsongs,stories,andactivities,allfromanAboriginalculturalperspective.Classroomteachersfollowupwithaprojectoractivitythatexemplifiesthevalue.Toconcludethereisspecialcelebration,apowwowwhereeachstudentreceivesanecklaceofsevenbeads,witheachcolourrepresentingthevaluetheyhavelearned.TheWarriorsoftheRainbowprogramistaughtbyAboriginalConsultantJulieSullivan.

WorkshopsTheAboriginalAcademicAchievementConsultanthasdesignedanddeliverednumerousworkshopsonAboriginalcultureandworldviews,includingAboriginalPerspectivesinEducation,AboriginalArtandEducation.TheseprogramshavebeendeliveredtoMASS,MTS,PembinaTrailsstaffandAdministrators,schooltrusteesandstudentsinManitobaandAlberta.ThepresentationshavealsobeenrequestedbytheFacultyofEducationattheUniversityofManitoba.AfterschoolprogramsareofferedontraditionalAboriginalculturetoeducatorsinPembinaTrailsSchoolDivision.Forexample,TeachingSweatlodgescontinuestobeofferedandiswellattended.

Social Studies CurriculumTheworkiscontinuingtosupporttheFirstNation’scontentintheSocialStudiescurriculumwithprofessionaldevelopmentprovidedforgrades2–6teachersbytheAboriginalAcademicAchievementConsultant.Teachershavebeenhelpedtobuildacontextfornewoutcomesandreflectonwhichnewinstructionalstrategiesmightbeeffectiveforengagingstudents.EducatorshaverequestedtoworkwiththeConsultanttodeveloprelevant,credibleresource/materialsforthegrades2-5curriculumwhichfocusesonAboriginalstudies.

Aboriginal Academic Achievement TeachersTwoAboriginalAcademicAchievement(AAA)TeachersworkinsixschoolsinPembinaTrailsSchoolDivisionwiththehighestAboriginalstudentpopulations.Thegoalistoraisetheacademicachievementoftheseyoungpeople.Programmingisvariedtomeetthespecificneedsofeachindividualschoolcommunity.AAAteachersprovideacademicsupport,liaisonbetweenschoolandthehome,studyskillssupport,anAboriginalBoysClub,theincorporationofAboriginalcultureintolessons,andstudentleadershipskills.Dataiscurrentlybeingcollectedandwillbeusedtodeterminethesuccessoftheprogram.

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Career Trek: Children Raising ProgramFourschoolsareparticipatinginCareerTrek,aprogramthatgivesstudentsanopportunitytoexperiencefirst-handover20differentcareers.

Drumming and Dancing WorkshopsAfterschooldrumminganddancingworkshopstakeplacethroughouttheschoolyearatavarietyofschoolsinthedivision.

Family Connections RoomAFamilyConnectionsRoomhasbeenestablishatWestgroveSchool“tocreatawelcomingandbelongingplace”.Thisroomisopentoallcommunitymembers(50%ofWestgrove’spopulationareAboriginal)andissupportedinconjunctionwithHealthyChildandtheWinnipegRegionalHealthAuthority.ItisavailableTuesdaysandThursdaysfrom9:00-11:00a.m.andisastayandplayforparentsalongwiththeiryoungchildren.Workshopsarealsoofferedwithhealthandnutritionbeingthecurrenttopic.

Contact:JulieSullivanPosition:AAAConsultantEmail:jsullivan@pembinatrails.ca Tel:204-488-1757

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Division/District: The Portage la Prairie School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program:• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other–HolisticApproach

Contact:Name:WinstonHrechkaPosition:AAAFacilitatorEmail:whrechka@plpsd.mb.caTel:204-857-6843Ext.11115

Description of program/initiative:The Parent RoomThemainpurpose/intentionofourParentRoomistopromoteapositiveconnectionbetweenhomeandschool.Itreallyhasmoretodowithchangingparentattitudesandviewoftheeducationsystem.Ifparentsfeelwelcomeandsafe,theywilltransferthatfeelingtotheirchildren.Whenparentsvalueeducation,theirchildrenvalueeducation.Manyofourparentshaveanegativeimpressionoftheeducationsystemduetotheirownnegativeexperience;byopeningourdoorswearetryingtoshowthatwewelcometheirinputintheirchild’seducation.

Theeducationofourchildrenreliesonafunctioningfamily.Healthcare,socialassistanceandotheragenciessuchastheYoungParent’sResourceCentreallsupportourfamilies.Manyofourparentshavedifficultyaccessingtheresourcesinthecommunityduetothefactthattheydonotconsistentlyhaveaphoneinthehousetoevenmakeappointments.Wealsosendfaxesasneededandallowcomputeraccess.

Weprovidecoffee,teaandtoysforthelittleonestoplaywith.Thisallowsourparenttheopportunitytogettogether,networkandsupporteachotherandthelittleonesarecomfortableinthebuildingbeforetheystartschool.Wearetryingtoencourageparentstowalktheirchildrentoschool,stopinforacoffee,possiblyimprovingattendance.Wehopetoofferparentingsupportinthefuture,smallgroupdiscussionregardingissuestheyaredealingwithathomewiththeirchildrenandproblemsolvingtogether.

Wearenotdirectlysupportingcurriculumoutcomes,butrathersupportingparentsinordertosupportchildrenandencourageapositiveattitudetowardeducation.

Contact:MichelleHeamanPosition:Principaltel:857-4564email:mheaman@plpsd.mb.ca

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Ogitchita GroupArecentin-serviceindicatedthatinitiationsareabsentinmanyayoungAboriginalboy’slife.Inthepast,thistransitionintomanhoodwasrepresentedasanintegralpartofgrowingup.ItwasalsoindicatedthatalthoughtherehavebeenfewsupportgroupssetupforyoungAboriginalwomen;itisthemalegroupthatisfarmoreallusive.ItisthisknowledgethatwastheinspirationofbeginninganAboriginalgroupformalestudentsatLaVerendryeSchool.Theself-namedOgitchitagroup(warriorwithaheart)beganinthelaterstagesofthe2010/2011schoolyear.Thegroupconsistsofapproximatelyninegrade7malestudents.Theinitialmeetingwascharacterizedbythenamingofthegroup,aswellasthecompletionofaKWL.TheKWLindicatedwhatthegroupnewaboutAboriginalculture,whattheywantedtoknow,andfinallywhattheyhavelearnedaboutAboriginalculture(completedattheendoftheyear).ThegroupshowedinterestintheareaofAboriginalnames,Aboriginalfoodpreparation,andAboriginallegends.Theschoolleaderguidedthegroupintotheterritoryofresidentialschools,history,andtraditions.Thegrouphostedvisitsfromelders,madebannock,andfilletedfish.TheyearwascappedoffwithavisittotheManitobaMuseum,withanemphasisonAboriginalhistory.Thegroupwasasuccessincreatingasenseofprideamongstitsmembers,aswellasprovidingthebenefitsofthesharingcircle.Goalsforthegroupincludeincreasingitsmembership,aswellasincreasingattendanceandacademicperformanceamongstitsmembers.

La Verendrye School Ogitchita Group School FacilitatorContact:BlairHordeskiPosition:GuidanceCounsellortel:857-3478emailbhordeski@plpsd.mb.ca

Young Women of TomorrowTheYoungWomenofTomorrowisaYellowquillSchoolguidanceinitiativethatinvolvesAboriginalgirlsingrades6-8.Theprogramwasdevelopedin2007byYellowquillSchoolGuidanceCounsellor,SherylRosstoprovideaninclusive,safe,andcaringsettingforthegirls.Thegroupfocusesonbuildingrespectforselfandothers,goalsetting,conflictmanagement,andhowtobeafriend.Inweeklymeetingsthegirlsdiscusstheimportanceofstayinginschool,volunteerism,positiveleadershipskills,andworkingtogethertoaccomplishgoals.

Overthelastfewyears,thegirlshaveparticipatedinmanyactivitiesculturalandotherwisetohelpdeveloptheabovegoals.ThegroupholdsafundraisingactivityeveryyearbymakingandsellingIndianTacos.TheproceedsfromthefundraiseraredonatedbackintotheschoolcommunityintheformofEasterBasketsthatthegirlsmakeanddelivertosomeofthelessfortunatestudentsinourgradesK-4classrooms.ThisfundraisingmoneyhasalsoenabledthegrouptogoonfieldtripstoTheForksforthefirstNationalPublicGathering“It’sAboutRespect,AJourneyofSurvival,Strength&Resilience”(June2010),aswellastoayear-endovernightcampinJuneof2011.SomeofthegirlsalsoparticipatedinPortagelaPrairie’s“ShareOurWorldDay”,thekick-offeventforPortagelaPrairie’sMultiCulturalWeek.

Somefuturegoalsofthegroupincludeanannualyear-endcampwherethegirlsfocusonteam-buildingactivitiesaswellastodevelopamentoringprogramatYQSfeederschoolssothegirlscanhelpincomingaboriginalstudentswiththetransitiontoanewschool.

Sheryllooksforways/eventstoinvolvecommunitymemberstoprovideadditionalAboriginalperspectives.

In2010,SherylwasarecipientoftheInnovativeTeachingAwardfromthePortageTeachers’

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Association.ShefindstheYoungWomenofTomorrowProgramtobeverysupportiveforthegirlsandpersonallyrewardingwhensheseestheseyoungwomenachievingtheirgoals.Twoofthegirlswillberecipientsofacademicawardsthisyearfortheirfirsttime.

Contact:SherylRossPosition:GuidanceCounsellortel:857-8714email:sross@plpsd.mb.ca

First Nations Leadership GroupThisgroupwasformedforthesolereasonofidentityandasenseofbelonging.Aboriginalstudentsvoicedtheirconcernsandfelttheyneededtohavevoiceintheschool.Thisgrouphasgonefromalowself-esteemgrouptoagroupthatiswillingtotackleanyinitiative!Ourgoalwastoaddresstheissueofinequalityandthelackofbelonging.ByvirtueofbringingtogethervariousAboriginalculturesourmissionoffeelingproudandyesyoudobelonghasallowedmanystudentstowalkthroughourdoors?Thisgrouphasbeenutilizedasmentorsforearlyandmiddleyear’schildreninourschooldivisionandhasproventobequitesuccessful.Thisgrouphasspentmanynoonhourstotacklemanyissuesandhasmanagedtoturnthemintoapositiveexperience.ThisgrouphasestablishedaroominPortageCollegiateInstitutewhichtheynamed“CHILLSTOP”asaplacewherestudentscancomeandhangoutduringnoonhourtochat,dohomeworkandplayvideogamesorjustCHILLOUT!

FirstNationsLeadershipGroupwelcomesallstudentsofPCIandlookforwardtobuildingfriendships.

 

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Division/District: The Prairie Rose School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: St. Laurent School Fiddle Program

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:St.Laurentcommunity/parentsdecidedtointegratesomeMétisculturalinitiativeswithintheschoolcurriculum.Theinitiativehascreatedculturalawarenessandasenseofidentityformanyofourstudents.MarkMorisseauwhoisarenownedMétisfiddlerthroughouttheMétishomelandteachestheSchool’sfiddlingprogram.Asyouwillread,theprogramhasbeenatremendoussuccesstakingtheMétisYouthofthiscommunitytovariousculturaleventsthroughoutManitoba.Theagesofourstudentsrangefrom8to18andweanticipatemoreeveryyear.

Thisisanexcellentprogramforouryouthwhoareatriskforseveralreasons:• Havingsuccessinfiddlingisatremendousboostertoself-esteemforstudentswhootherwise

struggleinschool.

• Studentswhotakeaninterestinfiddling,andmanydo,spendhourspracticingandplayingathome,whichisapositiveexperienceasopposedtoengaginginunhealthyactivitiessuchassmoking,drinking,etc.

• Culturally,Fiddlingisanexcellentprogrambecauseitisalong-standingMétistradition.Thispositiveconnectionwiththeirrootsisasourceofprideintheirfamiliesandinthecommunity.

• Musichasbeenproventostimulatethebrainintheareaofmathematicsandlogic.

Inthepastfiveyears,ourfiddlershavetakenpartinmanyeventsandhaveperformedinpublicinmanycommunities.

OurPerforminggrouphasplayedinmanycommunitiesandatseveralveryspecialoccasions.TheyaresopopularthroughouttheInterlakeandinWinnipegtheyhaveactuallyhadtodeclineafewofferstoperform.

ThebiggestthrillandhonorforthisgroupwasperforminginWashingtonD.C.fortheopeningceremoniesoftheMétisexhibitattheSmithsonianinstitute.TheyhavealsoperformedonthebigstageattheForksinWinnipeg.AswelltheyhaveplayedinschoolsinWinnipegandPortagelaPrairie,atcommunityeventsinElie,Woodlands,Teulon,Clandeboye,andofcourse,St.Laurent.TheyhavealsomadetwofiddleCD’swhichareforsaleattheeventsthattheyplayat.

ThisgroupistheprideandjoyofourcommunityandourprogramhasbeeninstrumentalinrevivingaMétistradition,whichwasindangerofbeinglost.

Contact:DavidHalldorson Position:PrincipalEmail:dhalldorson@prsdmb.caTel:204-646-2209

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Division/District: The Red River Valley School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program:• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners

Description of program/initiative:Initiativesintheschooldivisionareschool-based.TheseschoolssecuremoremoneybecauseofthenumberofMétisfamiliesinthecommunities.Studentsinmiddleyearsarebusedtoaneighbouringcommunitysotheyhavetheopportunitytodohome-economics.Underthedirectionoftheclassroomteacher,educationalassistantsprovideone-on-oneinterventiontomeettheneedsofstudents.

Contact:PaulineLafond-BouchardPosition:AssistantSuperintendentEmail:plbouchard@rrvsd.caTel:204-746-2317ext.223

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Division/District: The River East Transcona School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:TheRiverEastTransconaSchoolDivisioninWinnipegManitobahasbeenprovidingauthenticandsuccessfulAboriginalculturalprogrammingforitsstudentsandstaffforanumberofyears.Underthe“AboriginalAcademicAchievement”(“AAA”)portfoliofundedbyManitobaEducation,ourschooldivisionhasintegratedAboriginalhistoryandperspectivesintocurriculum.Wehavealsoplannedandimplementedavarietyofculturallearningactivitiesinallourforty-twoschoolsfromGradesKindergartentoTwelve.Someofthelearningactivitiesinclude:

• TraditionalTeachingsbyourDivisionalElder• GuestpresentersandteacherssharingculturalwisdomonDrumming,Tipi,MedicineWheel,Seven

SacredTeachings,Dance,andplantmedicines• AfterschoolculturalclubsforstudentsfromGrades4to8• Aboriginalrolemodel/mentorshipfromAAAstafffortargetedandintensivestudentpopulations• Authenticcurriculumintegration• Bi-annualDivisionalCommunityPowwow• OjibweandCreeLanguageclassworkshops• FieldtripstoamanagedBorealForestsitewherestudentslearnabouttheforestfromtraditional

helpers/teachers(plantmedicines,animalbehavior,naturaleco-systemrelationships)• SmudgeCeremonyandSharingCircles• Culturalprofessionaldevelopmentforschoolstaff

Oneofthemainfactorsinoursuccessisour“MedicineWheel—AllFourNations”approachtosharingculturalknowledge;meaningtheseAAAactivitiesareopenforstudentsandstafffromallculturalandethnicbackgroundstoparticipatein.

TheRiverEastTransconaSchoolDivisionisroutinelyaskedtopresentatotherschooldivisionsandeducationconferencestoprovideguidanceandencouragementtoschoolswantingtoimplementAboriginalprogramming.

Contact:CaroleShankarukPosition:AboriginalCommunityNetworkEmail:cshankaruk@retsd.mb.caTel:204-669-2945 

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Division/District: The Rolling River School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: See below

Goal(s) of program:• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:WehavethreeprogramsthatwehaveimplementedinourcommunityschoolwhichourRollingRiverFirstNationsstudentsattend.PleasenotethattheseprogramsarenotattendedexclusivelybyRRFNstudents,althoughtheyareinitiativesresultingfromaneedamongourAboriginalstudentpopulation:

All Day, Every Day Kindergarten–thiswillbeoursecondyearoftheallday,everydaykindergartenprogram.TheRRSDdesignatesalargeamountoftheAAAgranttosupportthisprogram.Ourgoalistoensurethatallourstudentsaresociallyandemotionallyreadyfromgradeone,sotheprogramisplay-based,literacyrich,andfocusedonsocialskills.

Literacy Intervention for Grade Two–beyondthe“usual”supportsofResource,ReadingRecovery,SuccessMaker,etc.,wehavealsoimplementedanEYinterventionprogramtohelpstrugglingreaderswhodidnotparticipateinReadingRecoveryprogramandwhoarenotyetready“atlevel”.

Equine Assisted Learning –thisprogramisforourhighneeds/highriskstudentsinMYandSYwhostruggleinschool.Thepurposeoftheprogramistogivestudentsanopportunitytoexploretheirstrengths,developsocialskills,increasetheirlevelofconfidenceanddevelopasenseofselfpride.TheEquineAssistedLearningtakesplaceatUpperLeft7Ranch,nearErickson.

Contact:MargJanssenPosition:AssistantSuperintendentEmail:mjanssen@rrsd.mb.caTel:204-867-2754 

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Division/District: The St. James-Assiniboia School Division

Descriptive title of program/initiative: Initiatives in Aboriginal Education: Aboriginal Academic Achievement (AAA)

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Others:Seebelow

ADivisionalSteeringCommitteedevelopedastrategicplan(PATH)forAboriginalEducationintheDivision.TheCommitteeconsistsofstudents,parentsandcommunitypartners.

ProgramminginitiativesinAboriginaleducationintheDivisionfocuson:• developingpositiveself-identitiesthroughindividualhistories,cultures,traditionalvalues,positiverole

models• improvingtheacademicoutcomesandgraduationratesofAboriginalstudents• exploringwaystoengageparentsofstudentsofAboriginalheritageinmeaningfulways,suchas

participationonschoolanddivisionaladvisorycommittees• strengtheningcommunityinvolvementbydevelopingcommunityculturalspacessuchasparent

rooms• gatheringandanalyzingdatarelatedtoacademicachievementwithintheDivisioninordertoidentify

trendsandexploreimplicationsforprogramming• exploringNativeStudiescoursesandAboriginallanguageprogramming• offeringmini-grantopportunitiestoschoolsandengagingAboriginalandnon-Aboriginalstudents

withineachschool.SchoolsapplyforfundsfromtheDivision,whichcanbeusedinavarietyofwaystoinfuseAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculaandschoolculture:literacy/numeracyandcurricularmaterials,elders,Aboriginalrolemodels,entertainers,communitygatherings,theatreandmusicevents.

• involvingnon-Aboriginalstudentsininitiativestohelpallstudentsgainabetterunderstandingandrespectforthehistory,cultures,traditionalvalues,contemporarylifestyles,andtraditionalknowledgeofAboriginalpeoples.

Toattainthesegoals,avarietyofsupportsandresourceshavebeenprovidedtoschools.TheCoordinatorofStudentServices,theAboriginalAcademicAchievementTeacherandtheAboriginalLiaisonworkincollaborationwithEducationalSupportServices/StudentServicespersonneltosupportclassroomteachersastheyinfuseAboriginalperspectivesintocurricula.Workshops,co-teachingopportunities,andcurricularresourcesandmaterialsareprovidedforteachersandadministratorsinordertobuildtheirknowledgeofthedistinctworldviewofAboriginalcultures.Aresourcelibraryandteachingkitshavebeendevelopedforteachersandschools.Localevents,news,andsupportsarepostedregularlyonthedivisionalAboriginalResourcesconferencesite.Eachschoolhasarepresentativewhoisresponsibleformaintainingandsharingwithstafftheschool’sresourcebinderwhichconsistsofup-to-datecontacts,resources,andculturalinformation.ATalkingCircleprogramhasbeenimplementedinschools.

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Amanualwasalsocreatedtoassistschoolswiththeimplementationofthisprogram.Co-teachingopportunitiesbetweentheAAAteacherandclassroomteachershasencouragedtheinfusionofAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculumbymodelinglessondesign,materialselection and instructional techniques and strategies. WorkshopsonculturalawarenesshavealsobeenprovidedforteachersacrosstheDivision.

Contact:TanisPshebniskiPostition:AssistantSuperintendent,ProgramandCurriculumSt.James-AssiniboiaSchoolDivisionEmail:tpshebniski@sjsd.netTel:204-888-7951

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Division/District: The Seine River School Division (1)Descriptive title of program/initiative: Three Regional Aboriginal Engagement Activities

Goal(s) of program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:SeineRiverSchoolDivision’sthreeregions,west,centralandeast,eachdesignayearlyactivitytoengageAboriginallearnersintheircommunities.Eachregionismadeupofthehighschoolanditspartners,K-8schools.

Inthewesternregiontheschoolsparticipateintwofieldtripswhichincludestudentsselectedfromalltheschoolsintheregion.ThispastyearthetwofieldtripswereafishingtriptoCrowduckLakeandavisittothePetroformsintheWhiteshellProvincialPark.AneldermetthegroupatthePetroformsandgavea‘guidedtour’oftheareaandexplainedthespiritualmeaningforthestudents.InthecentralregionaCareerFairwasarrangedforallstudents,aboriginalandnonaboriginal.Thehighschoolhostedthefairandallthegrades7and8studentsfromthepartnerschoolsattendedandhadanopportunitytolearnaboutcareersinallwalksoflife;thesessionswereledbypeoplepracticinginthoseprofessions.

TheeasternregioncelebratedtheYearoftheMétisandthestudentsinallfourschoolsbuilthalfsizedRedRiverCarts.AMétiscarpentertaughtthestudentsthehistoryofthecartsandtheirimportancetotheMétispeopleinManitoba.Heassistedtheminbuildingauthenticcartsandassemblingthemintheschools.

(2) Descriptive Title of program/initiative: Building Academic Success

Goal(s) of Program: • ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:SeineRiverSchoolDivisionhasinitiatedadivisionwideassessmenttrackingplanwherethenumeracyandliteracygainsaregathered.SeptemberandJuneassessmentdatainnumeracyiscollectedandcharted.InliteracythedataiscollectedinSeptember,December,MarchandJune.ThedataisabletoidentifystudentsofAboriginaldescent,Ifstudentsarenotmakinggains,parentsarecontactedandadaptationsareprovidedtoenhancetheirprograms.

PartoftheAAAgrantisgivenasassistanceforstudentsthroughresourceprogramming.

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(3) Descriptive Title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Leadership

Goal(s) of Program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Description of program/initiative:InSt.NorbertCollegiatetheAboriginalstudentshavetheopportunitytoparticipateinanAboriginalLeadershipGroup.Thegroupmeetsregularlytosupporteachotheranddeveloptheirleadershipskills.

Oneofthemaingoalsistocreateawelcomingandsupportiveenvironmentforthestudents.Allstudentsarewelcometojointhegroup.Throughouttheyeartherearevarioustopicschosenbythegroupand‘experts’areinvitedtospeakwiththegroup.ThesessionsareledbytheclassroomteacherwhoteachestheAboriginalPerspectivescourseandthesocialworkclinician.

Contact:ElaineLochheadPosition:AssistantSuperintendentofStudentServicesEmail:elochhead@srsd.caTel:204-878-4713

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Division/District: The Seven Oaks School Division Descriptive title of program/initiative: Building Capacity

Goal(s) of program:• ToincorporateAboriginalPerspectiveintoCurriculaareas• ToimproveoutcomesforAboriginalLearners• EngageAboriginalLearnersandCommunity

Highlights:• CreatedDivisionAboriginalEducationTeacherTeamLeader/CATEPCoordinatorposition• CreatedDivisionElder-in-Residenceposition• HiredateachertoruntheGitchiMisawedamowinanProgramatEcoleSevenOaksMiddleSchool• MaintainourAboriginalArtistinResidenceposition-movedfromElwicktoEdmondPartridge

School• CreatedanewdivisionprogramforAboriginalstudents• CreateddivisionAboriginalEducationNetworkingmeetings-AboriginalEducationCircle• OurpartnershipwiththeAboriginalEducationCommunitycontinuestoexpand-UrbanCircle,

CAEM,AboriginalEducationDirectorate,ACE,TreatyRelationsCommissionofManitoba• OurCommunityAboriginalTeacherEducationProgram(CATEP)seesit’sfirstroundofgraduates

after6sixyears-October2011.• Ourfiddlingprogramisexpanding(MargaretPark,ÉcoleSevenOaksMiddleSchoolandRiverbend).• OurpartnershipwithourAboriginalParentsandtheKeepingBalanceprogramcontinues.• DevelopingdivisionAboriginaleducationresourcekitsforallthreehighschoolse.g.increasein

curriculamaterialsandbookspurchased.WecontinuetoofferCreeandOjibweclassesaspartofourheritagelanguageprogramDescription of Programs/Initiatives:ParentsandCommunityInvolvement• ContinuepartnershipwithAboriginalParentCouncilmaintainingcollaborativesupportsforKeeping

Balance-anafterschoolorlunch-hourprogramthatemphasizesAboriginalCulturalawarenessthrougharts,craftsandeducationalteachingsandyearlydivisionalAboriginalyouthconference.Thisisapartnerships’betweenHeritageCanada,theAboriginalParentCouncilandSevenOaksSchoolDivision.

• ContinuetofacilitatepublicawarenessaboutdivisioninitiativesandpartnershipsthroughschoolanddivisionnewslettersandnowthroughCAEM–CouncilforAboriginalEducationinManitobanewsletter.

• NewdivisionprogramGitchiMisawedamowinan”(kitchimis-wayn-damowin)invitesparents/guardians,communitymemberstocontributetotheteachingandlearningenvironment.

• DivisionPowwowandschoolcommunityfeastscontinuetogrow• Establishingpartnership(ie.eCAEM,CouncilforAboriginalEducationinManitoba,hostingCAEM

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webpageonSevenOaksdivisionwebsiteandhostingCAEM’sOctober21st,2011SAGConferenceatGardenCityCollegiate

• MaintainconnectionwithAboriginalCircleofEducatorsthroughAboriginalEducationSupportTeacher-willcontinuetonominateourownstaffforvariouscategoriesforAnnualAboriginalEducationAwardsBanquets.EstablishedapartnershipwithTreatyRelationsCommissionofManitobaandestablishedanoon-hourspeakersseriesatMaplesCollegiate,opentoallstaffandstudentsinSevenOaks.

• DevelopedadivisionwebsitetoincludeourAboriginaleducationinitiativesandtoprovideteachingstaffwithresources,eventscalender,pdopportunitiesandinformation,outofdivisionpdetc.

• HiredadivisionalAboriginaleducationteacherteamleadertodevelop,support/enhanceAboriginaleducationinitiatives.Focusisonbuildingcapacity,increasecommunityconnectionsandincreasestudentssupportsthroughpd,awarenessandeducationtraining,networking,communitybuildinganddevelopmentofnewdivisionalresources/programs:Buildingondivisionsuccessesandcreatingopportunitiesfornewlearningandinitiatives.

• EstablishedaprofessionallearningseriesentitledCurricularImaginations:IntegratingAboriginalPerspectives.TargetwasGrade10ELAteachers,Grade11Historyteachers.4fullin-servicedaysthroughoutthe2010-2011schoolyear.Seriesincludedexplorationofthemes/topics/issuesthatwererelevanttoELA/Historycurricularareas.Seriesincludesstaffin-servicing,schoolvisits,planningmeetings,integrationtrialsandsupportfornewinitiativesthatemergedfromthisseries(i.e.MaplesCollegiateandTreatyRelationsCommissionSpeakersseries.DevelopmentofaELAunit).

• EstablishedSevenOaksDivisionAboriginalEducationCircle-Adivisionwidenetworkingresourcethatisopentoallstaff.Meetingstakeplaceduringschoolhoursandsubsareprovidedforteacherstoattend.Four½daymeetingsthisyearforanystaffmembertoattend.Sessionincludeanexplorationofvarioustopics,presentationofschoolinitiatives,divisionandcommunityresourceswithopportunitytoengageinprofessionaldialogue.

• Makingconnectionsbetweenestablishedprogramsandnewinitiatives-creatingopportunitiesforCATEPEA’stoparticipateindivisionAboriginalEducationPD,topresentatAboriginaleducationconferences,someCATEPstudentshiredtorunKeepingBalanceprogram.–connectingthedots.

• School-wideinservicingonAboriginalEducationtopics,MargaretPark,ArtherE.Wright,WestSt.Paul-MedicineWheelteachings,Residentialschools,definingstartingpointsforAboriginaleducationinitiatives.

• Provided4fulldayinservicingtrainingfor6divisionstaff,FromCulturalAwarenesstoCulturalCompetencyJourneyTraining.PartnershipwithMECYAboriginalEducationDirectorateConsultant

• Increasedresources/supportsforteacherstointegrateAboriginalperspectives-allthreehighschoolsnowhaveanAboriginaleducationresourcekittosupporttheintegrationofAboriginaltopicsingrade10ELAorGrade11Historycourses.Kitswillbecataloguedandlocatedineachhighschoolandlibraryforallteacherstoaccess.

Divisioncontinuestoenhance/maintainmultipleprogramsandsupportsforlearnersaswellasthedevelopmentand/orenhancementofAboriginaleducationinitiatives/supports:

• DivisionhiredanAboriginalElder-in-ResidencetosupporttheintegrationofAboriginalperspectivestoliaiseandconsultwithinregardstoAboriginaleducationtopics.

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• ContinuetomaintainandprovidesupportsforKeepingBalance,RecandRead,AboriginalstudiescoursesatMaplesCollegiate,andGardenCityCollegiate.

• Increasingawarenessofnewinitiatives,resourcesandsupportsatAdministratorsmeetingsandAdministratorsAnnualConference.

• DivisionmaintainsAboriginalLanguageprograms-CreeandOjibwe

Enhancing communication & dissemination of Division initiatives and promising practices:• Disseminationofourresearch,”CelebratingStrengths:AboriginalStudentsandtheirStories

ofSuccessinSchools”atAboriginalEducationConferencesincludingAboriginalEducationResearchForum-ShawaneDagisowin,AboriginalCircleofEducatorsconferenceandwillcontinuedisseminationintonextyear.

SharingaboutCATEP,Community-basedAboriginalTeacherEducationProgramasaPromisingPracticethroughcreationofnewSevenOaksCATEPvideothatisbeingdeveloped.FirstroundofCATEPgraduatestakesplaceOctober14th.AllthreegraduateswerehiredbySevenOaks.Maintainhighexpectationsandencouragementforacademicsuccess.Continuetobeconsciousnessofcreatingwelcomingenvironmentsforallstudents-increasingAboriginalrepresentationthroughstaff,posters,artworkthatreflectsAboriginalpeoplesandarts.Aboriginalfocusedprogramsandsupportsdisseminatedtoallstaffthroughdivisionemail.

CreateopportunitiesforAboriginalstudentstoconnectwithAboriginalcommunitythroughevents:

• ManitobaAboriginalYouthAchievementAwards• KaniKaniChihksKeepingtheFire’sBurning• MaintainingHeritagelanguage/culturallearningopportunities• ManitobaAboriginalFilmFestival• MakingConnectionsAboriginalYouthFilmProjectthroughWAFF• Speakersseries-topicsincludeCanadianIndianTreaties,ResidentialSchool,contemporaryissues/

topics.Division-widestudentconferenceonAboriginaleducation-KeepingBalanceprogram• Continuetosupportsummercampprograms(Dial-a-Life,KeepingBalance/WASAC).• ContinueArtsinResidenceatEdmondPartridgeSchool• PurchasingAboriginalliteratureandresourcesforhighschoolELAandhistorycourses• Creatingopportunitiesforstudentstolearnfromoraltraditions-guestspeakers,portable

planetariumthatfocusesonFirstNationsknowledgeofthestars.

Contact:RebeccaChartrandPosition:CATEPCoordinator/AboriginalEducationTeacherTeamLeaderE-mail:rebecca.chartrand@7oaks.orgTel:204-339-9889,ext.229

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Division/District: The Southwest Horizon School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Cultural AwarenessGoal(s) of program:• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities• Other–Engagingnon-AboriginallearnersinAboriginalissues/perspectives

Description of program/initiative:SouthwestHorizon’sSocialJusticeCommitteehasorganizedaone-dayculturalfairfocusedonlocalAboriginalandMétisculturesforallGrade9studentswithinthedivision.Aboriginalperformers,artists,andspeakerswillshareAboriginalcultureandperspectivewithstudents,staffandcommunity.Activitieswillincludehoopdancing,storytelling,crafts,foodsampling,discussionswitharepresentativefromtheTreatyRelationsCommission,drummingandapowwowdemonstration.

Contact:CarolynCoryPosition:CurriculumCoordinatorE-mail:carolyn@shmb.caTel:204-483-0063

 

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Division/District: The Sunrise School Division Description of Initiative:WehaveaDivisionalAboriginalEducationCommittee(AEC)thathasrepresentativesfromthemajorityofourschools.

Goal(s) of program:• StudentLearning• StudentBelonging• ParentalInvolvement

Eachschoolsubmitsyearlyplansinvolvingthethreedivisionalgoals.Eachschoolisalsorequiredtohavesomeformofa“cluborgroup”thatisrunbyAboriginalstudentswhichfocusonbelonging.

Wemeasureourinitiativesfocusingon“Grades,GradsandGoingtoclass”.

Aswell,ourAECholdsatwodayAboriginalCelebrationDays.Closeto450studentstakepartinavarietyofculturalactivities.

Contact:PaulMagnanPosition:AssistantSuperintendentE-mail:pmagnan@sunrisesd.caTel:204-268-6538

 

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Division/District: The Turtle Mountain School DivisionDescriptive title of program/initiative: Aboriginal Academic Achievement Projects

Goal(s) of program:• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners

Description of program/initiative:• Strongfocusonacademicachievement;literacy,numeracy,homework.• Kurzwell,readingintervention/programisbeingusedbystudentswhohavebeenidentifiedas

havingareadingchallenge.Itisanempoweringtoolforthesestudents.• OtherstudentsaccesstheBartonReadingProgramtoassisttheminovercomingreadingdifficulties

intheareaofdecoding.• Pro3000assessmentsarebeingusedtosupportstudentsincareerdevelopmentallowingstudents

toconnectschooltotheirlivesandfuture.• Apprenticeshipoptionhasallowedstudentstomakeconnectionsandstayinschool.• ApartnershipwiththeAdultEducationCentrehasallowedsomestudentstoremaininschooldue

totheirflexibilityinprogramming.• CareertechnologyhasallowedAboriginalstudentstoseeviablecareerpossibilities.• StrongconnectionwithCareerTrekismaintained.Studentsparticipateintheprogramannually.• SocialemotionalsupportsareinplaceforstudentsthroughmentalhealthandAFMserviceswithin

theschoolsetting.

Contact:TanyaEdgarPosition:AssistantSuperintendentofStudentServicesE-mail:tedgar@tmsd.mb.caTel:204-523-7531

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Division/District: The Winnipeg School Division Description of program/initiative: Aboriginal Education

Goal(s) of the program:• IncorporatingAboriginalperspectivesintothecurriculum• ImprovingoutcomesforAboriginallearners• EngagingAboriginallearnersandcommunities

Aboriginal Education Support TeachersFiveAboriginalEducationSupportTeacherpositionshavebeenestablishedtoassiststaffand/orstudentsindesignatedschoolsintheareasofprogramandprofessionaldevelopment.TheAboriginalEducationSupportTeacherworkscollaborativelywiththeDistrictSuperintendentofSchools,DirectorofAboriginalEducation,AboriginalEducationConsultantstofacilitatethiswork.

TheAboriginalEducationSupportTeachersareresponsiblefor:• providingin-classmodeling,coachingandconsultationsforidentifiedteachers;• providingparticipatingteacherswithin-servicingrelatedtoeffectivepracticesintheintegrationof

Aboriginalperspectivesacrossthecurricula;• researchinganddevelopingresourcesandmaterialsforteachers;• assistingwithregularlyscheduledmeetingsforAboriginalAchievementcontactsfromeachschool

inthedistrict;andconsultingwithschooladministratorsregardingDistrictandschoolinitiativesintheareaofAboriginaleducation.

Community Support Workers (Aboriginal) Therearecurrentlyatleast18schoolsintheWSDthathaveCommunitySupportWorkers.Thefocusofthisprogramistodeveloppositiverelationshipsamongsttheschool,theparents,andthecommunity.Specificallytheprogrampromotesmutual

understandingandstrengthenscommunicationbetweenallparticipants.Thereisparticularemphasisonprovidingencouragementandsupporttofamiliestobeactivelyinvolvedwiththeirchild(ren)’seducation.

Underthedirectionoftheschoolprincipal,theCommunitySupportWorker:• providessupporttoparentstoincreasecommunicationbetweenfamilies,schoolandcommunity,

ieParentRooms,• actsasaliaisonbetweenschoolandparents,• facilitatesandcoordinatesworkshopsforparents,• coordinatesculturalactivities;and• networkswithoutsideagenciesandcommunityorganizations.

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Aboriginal Language Support TeachersTwoAboriginalLanguageSupportTeacherpositionshavebeenestablishedintheWinnipegSchoolDivision.TheAboriginalLanguageSupportTeacherdeliversOjibweorCreeclassroomprogrammingandprovidesAboriginalLanguageinstructiontostaffinorderthattheymaydevelopandimplementappropriateAboriginalSecondLanguageProgramming.Eightschoolsparticipateintheprogramtodate.

UndertheSupervisionoftheDirectorofAboriginalEducationtheAboriginalLanguageSupportTeacher:• guidestheimplementationoftheKindergartentoGrade12AboriginalLanguagesFrameworkof

Outcomes,• promotesandsupportsAboriginalHighSchoolstudentssothattheymayacquireuptofourSpecial

LanguageCredits,• adaptanddevelopcurriculatomeetthespecificneedsoftheprogram,• assistintheidentification,acquisitionanddevelopmentofmaterialsforusebytheinstructional

stafftopromoteawarenessandfluencyinspecificlanguage,• assistintheorganizationanddevelopmentofschoolbasedcoursesinlanguageandinformation

sessionsforparentsandcommunity.• EighteenteachersparticipateinAboriginalLanguagetrainingcourses.

Aboriginal SchoolsTherearetwodesignatedAboriginalSchoolswithintheWinnipegSchoolDivision.ChildrenoftheEarthHighSchooloffersgrades9-12andNijiMahkwaoffersgradesNursery-8.• BothschoolsofferrichculturalandAboriginallanguageprogrammingalongsidequalityacademic

programming.• ChildrenoftheEarthoffersculturallyappropriateprogrammingforfemalestudents.TheKamah

mobeyotIkwezanzsukProgram(GirlsSittingTogether)isofferedtograde9students.• Plansareunderwaytoofferculturallyappropriateprogrammingformalesingrades9and10

throughtheOshkiinniekKabahbiindigaotProgram(YoungMenEntering).• ChildrenoftheEarthhoststheMedicalInternshipProgramatthePanAmclinic.• NijiMahkwahoststheInnerCityScienceCentre.ThisisintendedtoprovideAboriginalstudents

withlearningexperiencesthatwillenhancetheirknowledgeandinterestofSciencerelatedcareers.

Aboriginal Off Campus ProgramsThereareseveraldivisionwideOff-CampusprogramstargetingAboriginalStudentswithAboriginalspecificprogramming.OffCampusofferssmallerclasses,fewertransitionsandteachers.• WiWabigooni(Grades2-6)• RisingSun(grades9-12)• EagleCircle(grades7-9)• N’dinawe(grades9-12)• Songi‘dewin(grades9-11orGED)• KaakiyawLiMoondLikol,(grades10-12)

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Curriculum Development & PublicationTheWinnipegSchoolDivisionhasdevelopedandpublishedtenAboriginaleducationteachingresourcesincludingagrade9to12AboriginalLanguageprogram.TheseresourcessupportteachersinbringingAboriginalperspectivesintoclassroomsacrossthedivision.• TheseresourcescanbepurchasedthroughtheManitobaTextbookBureau.• FiftysevenAboriginalEducationkitshavebeendevelopedandareavailableforloantoschools

fromLibrarySupportServicesinWSD.

Professional DevelopmentTheAboriginalEducationDepartmentprovideson-goingprofessionaldevelopmenttoteachersandadministratorsthroughouttheDivision.• ProfessionallearningsessionsvaryandrangeintopicfromWinterSolsticeGatherings,Waterand

TipiTeachings,ResidentialSchools,IncorporatingAboriginalDistinctiveLearningOutcomesinSocialStudies,CurrentTopicsinFirstNations,MetisandInuitStudies40S,Grade7&8EngagementprojectutilizingHolisticFrameworksfoundinFirstNationsWaysofteachingandLearning,toBuildingLeadershipCapacityinAboriginalEducation.

• Teachersareofferedopportunitiestoworkwithauthors,artists,musiciansandcrafterssuchasMichaelKusugak,DaveBouchard,JackieTraverse,LitaFontaine,WinstonWuttunee.

• Annuallyoneprofessionaldevelopmentseriesdrawsheavilyontheteachingsofelders.In2010-2011thefocuswasboysandgirlsteachings.ThisyearthefocusisontheelementsfireandwaterandtheirapplicationtoEducationforSustainableDevelopment.

• Oneschool,incollaborationwiththeUniversityofWinnipeg,offersUniversityLevelcreditcoursestostaffacrosstheWSDfocusingonAboriginalEducation,TeachingandLearning.

(AAA) Aboriginal Academic Achievement School RepresentativesAllschoolsidentifyAAArepresentativesandhe/sheparticipatesinfourhalfdaymeetingsoverthecourseoftheyear.Thepurposeofthesemeetingsistohelpschoolsstaycurrentwithpedagogy,informationandresourcesrelatedtoAboriginalAcademicAchievement.Usingavarietyofvehicles,AAArepresentativespromoteandsharetheinformationandresourcesregularlywithstaffattheirschoolsites.

Education Assistants (AAA)All77schoolsacrosstheWinnipegSchoolDivisionareprovidedwithsomeEducationAssistanttime.TheEducationAssistantsareusedto:• Provide1:1academicsupport• SupportextracurricularprogrammingrelatedtoAboriginalculturalorlanguageactivities• Provide1:1socialsupports

Community Based Aboriginal Teacher Education ProgramTohelpincreasethenumberofAboriginalteachersinthedivision,theCommunityBasedAboriginalTeacherEducationProgramwascreatedincollaborationwithSevenOaksSchoolDivisionduringthe2005-2006SchoolYear.• TheprogramgivesparaprofessionalsintheWinnipegSchoolDivisiontheopportunitytostudy

educationattheUniversityofWinnipegoverasix-yearperiod.• FromSeptembertoApril,employeesworkintheirrespectiveschoolswhileattendingclasspart

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time.FromMaytoJuly,theyarereleasedfromtheirschooltoattenduniversityandstudentteachonafulltimebasis.

• Uponcompletionoftheprogram,studentswillgraduatewithaBachelorofEducationandBachelorofArtsdegree.

• SeventypercentofthestudentsfromthefirstgraduatingclassisfromWSD.• Presentlytherearemorethan100Aboriginalstudentsintheprogram.

Aboriginal Identity DeclarationTheWinnipegSchoolDivisionimplementedvoluntaryAboriginalIdentityprocessesin2003-2004forbothstaffandstudents.Presently38%ofstudentsand12%ofstaffvoluntarilydeclareAboriginalIdentity.

Priority, Policy, and ReportingAboriginalEducationwasastatedpriorityoftheWSDsince1993.AnAboriginalEducationPolicywasdevelopedin1996andrevisedin2005.ThepubliccanaccessthispolicyontheWSDwebsite.EachschoolisrequiredtoreportannuallyonAboriginalEducation.SomeschoolsidentifyAboriginalEducationasaseparatepriorityandreportgrowthonseparateoutcomes.OtherschoolsweaveAboriginalEducationstrategiesandindicatorsthrougheachoftheirschoolpriorities.

Annual AAA Gallery Walk & ShowcaseForthepastthreeyearstheWSDhasheldanannualAAAgallerywalkandelder’sshowcase.EachschoolisinvitedtoselectandshowcasetheirstrongestAboriginalEducationinitiative.Agallerywalkandelder’sfeastisheldandteachersacrossthedivisionareinvitedtoparticipateintheevent.Thenumberofschoolsinvolvedintheshowcaseandthequalityofprojectscontinuestoimprove.

Aboriginal Youth Leaders of TomorrowAllhighschoolsareinvitedtosendtwoorthreestudentstoenrichmentprogrammingtargetingleadership.Studentsparticipateinupto5opportunitiestolearnandbuildleadershipskills.Itisexpectedthatstudentswillapplytheirlearningattheirrespectiveschoolsites.Todate,25studentshaveparticipatedinthisinitiative.Avideotitled,AboriginalStudentSuccesswasdevelopedinthe2010-2011Schoolyear.

Aboriginal Education WebsiteAninternalWSDAboriginalEducationWebsitewasdevelopedin2006.ThepurposeofthissiteistoprovidecurrentinformationandresourcestostaffandstudentswithintheWSD.• Events,elders,resourcepeopleandopportunitiesarepostedregularly• Toimproveaccesstopost-secondary,ApprenticeshipandEmploymentopportunitiesforAboriginal

students• ResultsofAAAgallerywalksareposted.• Aboriginalcurriculumresourcesandlinksareposted• TosupportAboriginalLanguagesandAboriginalYouthLeadershipblogs.

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Building Student Success with Aboriginal ParentsFifteenschoolsparticipateintheBSSAPinitiative.Thefocusisimprovingstudentsuccessinschoolbyimprovingparentengagement.Schoolsengageinanarrayofactivitiesincludingpow-wowclubs,starblanketmaking,nutritionbingo,foodfairs,jigging,squaredancing,fiddlingprogramsaswellastraditionalteachings.

Aboriginal Studies and Aboriginal Language coursesAvarietyofoptionalcoursesareavailableforstudentsinWinnipegSchoolDivision.• Aboriginalstudies40Sisofferedinatleastsixhighschools.• Aboriginalstudiescoursesavailableatgrades7-11level.• Aboriginallanguageisofferedatfivehighschools.

SomeMandatoryUnitsofstudyareprovidedtostudentsintheWSD.• Allgrade10studentswithintheWSDmustengageintheELAunit,EmergingAboriginalVoices.• FourteenschoolsareinvolvedintheGrade5/6TreatyEducationwiththeTRCM.• Thegrade11ResidentialSchoolsPilotcontinuesinWSD.

Pro-social Skills DevelopmentTopromotepro-socialskillsdevelopmentmanyschoolsusetheSevenOjibweteachings,Dr.MartinBrokenleg’sCircleofCourageModel,RestorativeprinciplesandtheMedicinewheelteachingsofreciprocity.Evidenceofthesemodelsaredemonstratedindailyannouncements,inassemblies,throughartisticvisualrepresentations,orthroughoutdoorclassroomsandgardens.

Education Assistants (AAA)All77schoolsacrosstheWinnipegSchoolDivisionareprovidedwithsomeEducationAssistanttime.TheEducationAssistantsareusedto:• Provide1:1academicsupport• SupportextracurricularprogrammingrelatedtoAboriginalculturalorlanguageactivities• Provide1:1socialsupports

Other Programming or Partnerships with outside Groups• DaycareorInfantLabsareavailableinsixWSDhighschools.OneofourschoolshousesaHeadStart

Program.• AboriginalstudentsacrosstheWSDcontinuetoparticipateinprogrammingprovidedbyschoolsin

partnershipwiththeWinnipegSportAchievementCamps.• EightschoolsparticipateinanAboriginalYouthMentorshipprojectwiththeUniversityofManitoba

FacultyofKinesiologywhichinvolvesbothelementaryandhighschoolstudents.• Atleast180InnerCitystudents,themajorityofwhomareAboriginal,areintroducedtopost

secondarylearningthroughCareerTrekandMini-Uprogramming.• Aboriginalrolemodels,throughavarietyofsourcesincludingPartnersforCareersareinvitedto

speakathighschools.ManystudentsattendtheAboriginalCareerSymposium.• AcollaborativeprojectbetweentheMTYPandWSDprovide90grade5/6studentsannuallywith

theAboriginalArtsTrainingandMentorshipProgram.

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• SchoolcounsellorsatthehighschoollevelpromoteandencourageAboriginalStudentsfromrural/northernareastoattendprogrammingatKaNiKanichihk-RestoringtheSacredandManitobaIndianEducationAssociation’sHonouringourSpiritsProgram.

• OpportunitiesforAboriginaladultlearnersareofferedthroughtheWinnipegAdultEducationCentre(VaughanStreetandOffCampus)andR.B.RussellVocationalHigh.

• FourInnerCitySchools,inpartnershipwiththeBoys&GirlsClubsandUniversityofManitobaFacultyofEducation,offertheCommunitySchoolInvestigators(CSI)Programtoreduceorminimizesummerlearningloss.

Contact:ValGeorgesPosition:DirectorofAboriginalEducationEmail:vgeorges@wsd1.org

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191 Provencher Boulevard Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 0G4

tel: 204-233-1595 www.mbschoolboards.ca