First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education The First Nation Advisory Committee as well as youth leaders, families, communities and FNMI staff continued to be consulted in the development and delivery of programs and services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students in Rainbow Schools.
Native Studies and Ojibwe Language Programs
Elders in Schools
Native Studies was offered in most secondary schools. Ojibwe Language was offered in twelve elementary schools and seven secondary schools, including the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School. Native Studies/Ojibwe teachers had an opportunity to network with other teachers from across the Board and the Northeast Region.
Elders Winnie Pitawanakwat and Stan Peltier visited many schools to deliver cultural workshops such as tipi teachings. They also offered drumming for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
FNMI Perspectives Reflected in Curriculum
Support Workers and FNMI Centres in Secondary Schools
Work began on embedding First Nation, Métis and Inuit perspectives into the Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 curriculum. Teachers participated in training to further develop culturally inclusive teaching strategies and practices. Big ideas in Social Studies were also developed that will incorporate key FNMI perspectives.
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N’Swakamok Native Alternative School Successes
Eleven students achieved their secondary school diploma through the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School. Students benefited from flexible school hours, one-on-one or small group learning, tutoring, a strong support system within the N’Swakamok Friendship Centre as well as supportive partnerships within the local Aboriginal community.
Kindergarten Programs with an Aboriginal Focus The Aboriginal Oral Language Specialist, Sharla Peltier, worked in three schools (Cyril Varney Public School, Little Current Public School and Wembley Public School) along with Elders, families and communities to make Kindergarten classrooms more reflective of Aboriginal history, culture and traditions.
First Nation, Métis and Inuit Support Workers in all secondary schools fostered a welcoming environment for students and their families. At First Nation, Métis and Inuit Centres, students connected with students from similar backgrounds and students from different backgrounds.
Dual Credits for FNMI Students
Aboriginal secondary students participated in the dual credit Business and Native Social Work courses offered by Laurentian University, earning secondary school credits and university credits at the same time. These were the first dual credits offered for Aboriginal students at the university level in Ontario.
Youth Education Day
An Education Day was held at Tom Davies Square in conjunction with the Northern Aboriginal Festival. Hundreds of Grade 7 and 8 students met Aboriginal role models and explored local secondary and postsecondary programs and pathways. The Education Day included a focus on the importance of water in the Anishinaabe culture.
Aboriginal Youth Leadership Group Reduces the Impact of Poverty
Students from the Aboriginal Youth Leadership Group produced public service announcements to highlight the issue of poverty as a tool to engage other youth and start a dialogue about actions that can be taken to reduce poverty and its effects.