Embedded Files
Foothills School Division has a continuum of supports for staff and students to engage with to collaboratively advance Indigenous student success. Supports range from universal strategies that support all students to individual supports that meet personalized needs. This Toolkit, as well as the supports, are for ALL stakeholders as we are all treaty people and reconciliation is for everyone. In education our purpose is supporting the success of each learner.
This toolkit is intended to provide tools and strategies to create inclusive classrooms that support multiple worldviews in each classroom. Statistically, Indigenous students face increased barriers with success in school as a result of the history and legacy of residential schools and intergenerational trauma. Educating all stakeholders about Canada's true history along with the continuum of supports detailed below will overtime contribute to Indigenous student success. This continuum and the strategies included are intended to help bridge the gaps that Indigenous students face by providing some of supports these students require to overcome these additional barriers.
Some additional barriers that Indigenous Students encounter are:
Aboriginal people aged 15 and over have a much lower educational attainment than their non-Aboriginal counterparts, with 43.7 percent not holding any certificate, diploma or degree in 2006, compared to 23.1 percent for the Canadian population.
Only 4% of First Nations people on reserve, and 8% in total, have a university degree, compared to 23% of the Canadian population.
1 in 4 children in First Nations’ communities lives in poverty.
Suicide rates among First Nations youth are 5 to 7 times higher than other young non-Aboriginal people in Canada.
A First Nation youth is more likely to end up in jail than to graduate high school.
Food security is an issue for almost 50% of reserve residents.
Almost half of First Nations households do not have an internet connection.
*statistics taken from Chiefs Assembly on Education: A portrait of First Nation and Education.Gaps in graduation rates - about 44% of First Nations on-reserve (age 18-24) have completed high school, compared to 88% for other Canadians.
Challenges to accessing post-secondary education opportunities
*Statistics from Indigenous Services Canada
Continuum of Supports for Indigenous Student Success
Continuum of Supports for Indigenous Student Success
Indigenous Student Leadership Groups
Indigenous Student Leadership Groups
Numerous schools across our division have begun to develop opportunities for self-identified Indigenous students to gather in community. Often these groups meet over lunch or flex blocks.
Group activities can be viewed HERE
Two Spirited Youth Supports
Two Spirited Youth Supports
Two-Spirited-Web-Booklet.pdf (vsb.bc.ca) provides a guide for schools to create a safe and caring environment for two spirited youth.
It is important to note that prior to European contact and colonization two spirited individuals were respected among Indigenous communities. They were recognized as having received special gifts and knowledge of both the feminine and masculine from Creator. Often two spirited individuals lead in spiritual ceremonies and held important roles in communities as healers.
Celebrate Indigenous student success by nominating a student for the annual Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards
Celebrate Indigenous student success by nominating a student for the annual Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards
The Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards are intended to recognize First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students who model strength and commitment in the pursuit of their personal education path and embrace their own gifts, strengths and potential while celebrating the ways of their people.
These awards offer the opportunity to celebrate exceptional students nominated by members of their education communities, based on their exemplary leadership, courage, and commitment to their cultures and educational paths.
The award categories are from three regions: North, Central and South, with four (4) awards in each region for K-3, Grade 4-6, Grade 7-9, and Grade 10-12.
Nomination form and information HERE
Educational Tools & Activities
for All Learners
Educational Tools & Activities
for All Learners
Kairos Blanket Exercise
Kairos Blanket Exercise
Contact the Indigenous Learning Facilitator, or certified staff in your building to lead a blanket exercise.
The blanket exercise is an engaging educational tool that immerses students into the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The activity is lead through the voice of a facilitator and narrator that bring multiple perspectives to the history of assimilation and events that occurred throughout Canada's past.
Videos, news clips, and songs support this learning experience, which can be very emotional, especially for Indigenous participants. It is strongly encourage to prepare participants for the activity in advance and provide time to debrief after. Age appropriate accommodations can be made to this activity.
Classroom Campaigns
Classroom Campaigns
Campaigns are a great way to engage a classroom or school community in movements that build awareness and support for Indigenous peoples. Here is a list of annual campaigns that your school and classroom can get involved with:
Shannen's Dream - for "safe and comfy schools" and quality education for all.
Red Dress Campaign
Spirit Bear: I am a witness to help First Nations children grow up safely at home
National Metis Week - November
Louis Riel Day - Nov 16
Orange Shirt Day - September 30
National Indigenous Peoples Month June & Day June 21
Celebrate Community & Annual Events
Celebrate Community & Annual Events
Local community events are posted regularly on the Staff Learning Link.
Click HERE for a list of annual events and important dates to celebrate with your students and engage them in reconciliation.
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