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Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Capital NewsC
Aboriginal Education Program Enhancing School Success for Aboriginal Students Community Connection January 2014
Five-year Aboriginal Education Enhancement agreement signed amid celebration ancestry. Aboriginal students performed at the Signing Ceremony representing our elementary, middle, and secondary school students. Having students dancing and singing helped to reinforce the importance of self-expression and encouragement in the sharing of the rich Aboriginal culture and history with all who witnessed the celebration. Students from Sensisyusten House of Learning sang in the Okanag-
ABORIGINAL STUDENT LEADERS and Ambassadors, Saige-Taylor Werstuik, Quentin Scott and Lenasia Ned lead the opening ceremony on Wednesday, January 15. An amazing event on January 15, 2014 brought the Central Okanagan School District, local Aboriginal communities and the Ministry of Education together to celebrate the
signing of the second Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. Over 250 people were in attendance at the Sensisyusten House of Learning, on the traditional territory of the Okanagan, Syilx people to witness the signing. Representatives from Westbank First Nation, the Ministry of Education, the Central Okanagan School District, and the Okanagan Nation Alliance all spoke about the importance of enhancing the success for our Aboriginal students. As the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Executive Director Pauline Terbasket said, “It is the commitment to the continued partnership and the journey of coming along and finding ways and means to work together that will allow our students to con-
tinue to be successful”. The celebration began with our Aboriginal Student Leaders and Ambassadors, Saige-Taylor Werstuik, Quentin Scott, and Lenasia Ned leading the
opening ceremony carrying the Unity and Eagle Staffs, which were recently carved and presented to the District from Westbank First Nation Carver, Chad Paul. Providing a variety of leadership opportunities for all Aboriginal students continues to be a strong focus in the 2014-2019 Enhancement Agreement. The Enhancement Agreement also focuses on increasing academic supports, such as homework clubs and teacher tutors in middle and secondary schools, and promoting positive self-esteem and pride in
NAYDEN BRIGHAM, foreground, with
Sensisyusten House of Learning students singing and drumming.
trict has risen from 55% to nearly 70% over the last five years. Enhancement Agreements across BC are helping more and more Aboriginal students complete high school than ever before. Board of Education Chairperson, Moyra Baxter, noted, “That is really positive because we do not want to see any disparity between our Aboriginal students and other students.” Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education stated - “Aboriginal
DIGNITARIES that signed the second En-
hancement Agreement from left to right: Delphine Derickson, Elder Westbank First Nation; Moyra Baxter, Chairperson Board of Education; Karen Vircavs, President, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society; Ted Cadwallader, Field Director, Aboriginal Education Learning Division, Ministry of Education; Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools; Councillor Mickey Werstuik, Westbank First Nation; Councillor Allen Louis, Okanagan Indian Band; Pauline Terbasket, Executive Director, Okanagan Nation Alliance; Larry Carriere, President, Kelowna Métis Association; Michelle Price, Aboriginal Parent and Family Education Council; and Phyllis James, Lake Country Native Association.
Education Enhancement Agreements like this one continue to foster success for Aboriginal students
and work to ensure that they feel welcome and valued throughout their educational journey.”
ELDER DELPHINE DERICKSON spoke of the teachings of Aboriginal Culture being critical to ensuring that these values will be passed on to future generations and our future leaders. an Language (nsyilxcen) while performing on the big drum. There are 2,228 Aboriginal students in the Central Okanagan School District for the 2013-2014 school year making up 11 percent of the overall student population of 21,995. Much progress has been made since the first Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. With unique programs such as the Academy of Indigenous Studies offered at Mount Boucherie Secondary School, the addition of Aboriginal Student Leadership courses and the newly developed School District Aboriginal Paddling Team, more students are engaged and becoming more successful with their studies. The graduation rate for Aboriginal students in the Dis-
OUR ABORIGINAL LEADERSHIP
/Paddling Team, in partnership with the RCMP, is learning about canoe safety and skills. Aboriginal RCMP officers and Aboriginal Education Program staff work closely with the paddling team incorporating cultural teachings and protocols into the monthly meetings. These student leaders will have an opportunity to take these teachings and present at the Gathering of Our Voices Youth Conference in Vancouver, BC in the spring of 2014.