1. In the Abbotsford and Mission School Districts
Indigenous Education
In the Abbotsford and Mission School Districts

2. Indigenous Population
BC Population in 1871
BC Population in 2011

3. Indigenous Culture and Beliefs
Highly relational society
working together showing respect, harmony, and balance
rich oral history
knowledge is sacred and shared with permission
elders highly respected for experience and wisdom
strong spiritual connectiveness to nature and one another
collective decision-making
viewed education as a fluid natural process linked to everyday life

4. BC Curriculum vs Traditional Indigenous Education
Old BC Curriculum
- Teachers are responsible for education
- Students isolated in a non- active environment
- teacher is holder of all knowledge
Traditional Indigenous Education
- Parents and elders are responsible for education
- experiences are shared from generation to generation
- elder is holder of all knowledge
New BC Curriculum
- create a partnership with families so that everyone is responsible for education
- Students are encouraged to demonstrate their learning in different ways
- different programs offered such as outdoor Kindergarten.
- student is the holder of knowledge and teacher facilitates learning

5. Web Kinew's 500 Years of History in 2 Minutes

7. Residential Schools "Kill the Indian in the child"
created to "civilize" the native population
children between 4-17 forcibly taken from families and from traditional lands
housed institution style
disciplined for speaking in native tongue
parents were imprisoned if they refused to send children
aboriginal land was siezed to build residential schools
children were physically and emotionally stranded from families
many students were physically, verbally, and sexually abused
operated from mid 1800s to 1980s
Residential Schools
"Kill the Indian in the child"

8. Residential Schools in Canada: a History lesson

9. Cultural Issues Today
highest rates of poverty, incarceration, suicide, and alcoholism in Canada (Burke & Milewski, 2012)
mistrust between the Indigenous community and the Canadian government

10. Aboriginal Education in two bc school Districts
Sandy Hill Elementary- Abbotsford
Cherry Hill Elementary-Mission
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11. A Comparison Sandy Hill Cherry Hill Abbotsford Enhancement Agreement
Increasing school completion for aboriginal students
Increasing the number of aboriginal students meeting expectations in reading
Increasing cultural pride
Increasing a sense of belonging among aboriginal students
Cherry Hill
Mission Enhancement Agreement
Recognizing aboriginal contributions
Creating positive learning experiences for aboriginal students
Honouring aboriginal culture and history
Looking into the future

12. Sandy Hill Elementary 30 aboriginal students of 518 students
Ab. Ed. Assistant for one-on-one intervention
Abbotsford School District Resources
Dedicated Aboriginal Education Department
Principal of Aboriginal Education
Aboriginal Helping Teachers
Aboriginal presentations available

13. Cherry Hill Elementary
48 aboriginal students of 249
A part time (0.4FTE) Aboriginal Liason Worker for one one intervention and cultural presentations
Mission School District Resources
Dedicated Aboriginal Education Department
District Principal of Aboriginal Education
Aboriginal Mentor Teachers
Aboriginal Liaison Workers
Aboriginal Library with books, lessons, crafts, and presentation kits

14. How are we doing?
Abbotsford School District. (2014). Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement.

15. The future of aboriginal education
Integrate aboriginal culture and values into everyday teaching by;
bringing in guest speakers for the entire class, school, staff
teaching aboriginal crafts as part of a unit or regular art lesson
make announcements in different languages such as Halq'emeylem
celebrate important cultural days (National Aboriginal Day, Dragon Boat Festivals, Salmon Ceremony)
conduct class instruction in a more holistic way such as by using more exploration or inquiry based learning, emphasis on observation

16. Circle of Courage: A model for resilient youth
The Circle of Courage represents an amalgamation of several studies showing how children can be taught to be RESILIENT.
Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future

17. A Resilient youth:
Builds bonds with adults and peers based on care and mutual concern
Thinks for him/herself and can solve problems creatively
Can tolerate frustration and manage emotions
Avoids making other people's problems their own
Shows optimism and persistence in the face of failure
Resists being put down and sheds negetive labels
Has a sense of humor and can "forgive and forget"
Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future