Indigenous Education Services - Peace Wapiti Public School Division

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8611A - 108 Street, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4C5| Phone: (780) 532-8133| Register Online| Contact Us

Peace Wapiti Public School Division

Educating today for success tomorrow

Peace Wapiti Public School Division No. 76

Indigenous Education Services

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

Purpose:

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

Values:

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

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

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

PWPSD Policy AJ – Recognition of Indigenous Lands and Peoples

Exhibit 1- Opportunities for Recognition

How Indigenous Education Services works

In agreement with Alberta Education, each Indigenous student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be asked to sign a declaration of Indigenous status so that Alberta Education may monitor the number of Indigenous students throughout PWPSD and the province of Alberta. When a student self-identifies as Indigenous and returns the signed declaration to the school, he or she is connected with an Indigenous Liaison.

Read the Indigenous Education brochure online.

Indigenous Liaisons

Meet with students on a regular basis during school hours to support their social and academic needs.
Seek to establish and maintain a trust relationship with Indigenous students and their families to assist with school-related issues.
Improve communication and increase interaction between students, parents, communities and schools.
Increase the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, Treaty and Aboriginal rights, lands, cultures and languages; and to provide referral services for Indigenous students and families to appropriate agencies.

Aboriginal Summer Job Shadowing Program

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

New Indigenous-focused initiatives at PWPSD

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

PWPSD Virtual Round Dance 2020

Indigenous Guest Speaker Series

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

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

Policy Statement on Native Education

Introduced by Alberta’s Minister of Education to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 1987, the Policy Statement on Native Education in Alberta was significant because it was issued by the Government of Alberta. The policy stated that “Alberta Education would support the development and delivery of programs and services that would:

provide enhanced and equal opportunities for Native students to acquire the quality of education traditional in Alberta;
challenge Native students to learn and perform to the best of their ability;
provide opportunities for Native students to study and experience their own and other Native cultures and lifestyles;
provide opportunities for all students, Native and non-Native, in Alberta’s schools to recognize and appreciate the various Native cultures and their many contributions to the province and society.”