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Indigenous Education

October 15, 2024

The goal of the Indigenous Education Department is to provide assistance to the instructional staff and support staff in order that they may develop and implement appropriate programming for all students. Indigenous students acquire a positive self-identity through learning their own histories, cultures and contemporary lifestyles. Non-Indigenous students develop an understanding and respect for the histories, cultures, and contemporary lifestyles of Indigenous peoples. All students will develop informed opinions on matters relating to Indigenous People. The integration of Indigenous values, languages, histories and cultures occurs throughout all curricula K to 12.

Indigenous Education has been a priority in Winnipeg School Division since 1993. The purpose is to strengthen and enhance Indigenous Education through Curriculum integration program development and learning opportunities for teachers and administrators.

WSD adopted an Indigenous Education Policy in 1996, and two schools were established to offer academic courses, Indigenous languages (Cree and Ojibwe) and cultural programming. Niji Mahkwa School (N to 8) opened in 1993 and Children of the Earth High School (Grades 9 to 12) was established in 1991. In 2016, WSD Bilingual Programs expanded to include Cree and Ojibwe starting at Kindergarten at Isaac Brock School. Students in bilingual programming receive all the same curriculum as English only schools, with the added benefit of learning Language Arts, Social Studies and other subject in the second language.

Rob Riel
Assistant Superintendent, Indigenous Education
rriel
Phone: 204-775-0231

Marsha Missyabit
Divisional Kookum
mmissyabit
Phone: 204-775-0231

Strengthen and Enhance Indigenous Education Initiatives

Indigenous Elder

The Indigenous Elder plays an important role in connecting the school and the community. The Elder is responsible for helping break down the stigma and systemic barriers and providing support and guidance on culturally appropriate services and programs. This includes:

  • Promoting and supporting cultural awareness and understanding for all involved with children/students and their families;  
  • Linking the Indigenous community and school; 
  • Promoting and supporting Indigenous language acquisition and retention;  
  • Guiding and counselling students, families and school staff;  
  • Assisting all staff with the infusion of Indigenous content and perspectives into daily programming;
  • Taking the lead in traditional learning environments that may include smudging, land-based teaching, and pipe ceremony;
  • Assisting with the development of culturally sensitive programs and the establishment of new criteria for programming for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students;
  • Developing and facilitating in-house training for staff in order to move toward a deeper understanding of Indigenous learners and their needs.

Program Lead and Program Support Teachers

  • Provide school-wide in-services and divisional workshops. 
  • Work in collaboration with other consultants in developing and professional learning activities and curricula.
  • Assist with the integration of Indigenous content into all subject areas of the curriculum.
  • Facilitate four AAA meetings per year to:
  • provide networking opportunities for AAA support teachers and school representatives,
  • distribute new information as it becomes available,
  • strengthen and enhance the Indigenous Initiatives at the school level

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