Land-Based and Indigenous Education at Island Lake

Land-Based & Indigenous Education in UGDSB

Biindigen, Wa'tkwanonhwerá:ton', Welcome

Welcome to the Land-Based and Indigenous Education website. Here you will find information on our programs, a registration form, and curriculum-linked pre and post activities for your trip. Programs that are offered across multiple grades are adaptable and will meet the specific curriculum needs of your students.

A note on programming

It is important to note that not every single program will integrate Indigenous content at Island Lake. As we work with community partners, the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education Council for UGDSB and the Indigenous Education Department, our programming will grow to embed Indigenous content in all of our offerings. We will host Indigenous community partners through residencies throughout the year to bring in diverse and distinct Indigenous voices and lived experiences.

Each program will clearly indicate which workshops have been developed with Indigenous Peoples.

Registration & Address

Registration for April, May and June will open Monday, February 2 at 3 PM.

All programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools can choose to send one class for a full day of programming (both AM and PM program) or can split the day between two classes, with one class participating in programming in the AM and one in the PM. Please read the additional information on the registration page before submitting your Google Form.

Address
Akinomaagayegaamikoong
Island Lake Conservation Area
673067 Hurontario St.,
Orangeville ON L9W 2Y9

Akinomaagayegaamikoong

"Place of Learning"

In September 2024, the UGDSB approved the name change of the Outdoor Education Centre to Akinomaagayegaamkoong in order to reflect the shift in programming to land-based and Indigenous education. The name was suggested by Naokwegijig (Tim McGreggor), Anishnaabe from Whitefish River. Click the audio file below to hear Tim pronounce Mnis Zaagi'gan Akinomaagayegaamikoong (Island Lake Place of Learning).

The sign that marks the entrance to the Akinomaagayegaamikoong building was constructed by Kelsey Powless, Mohawk Snipe clan from Six Nations of the Grand River.

Mnis Zaagi'gan Akinomaagayegaamikoong.mp3

Door Murals by Morningstar

In September 2025, Alanah Jewel (Morningstar), Oneida Nation of the Thames, Bear Clan, painted these incredible murals on the front doors of the Akinomaagaamikoong building. Alanah is an illustrator, painter and muralist who is inspired "by the land, vivid dreams and rich culture." She is passionate about promoting Indigenous art and culture in urban areas. (source: https://morningstardesigns.ca/). Each species of animal depicted in these murals can be found at Island Lake Conservation Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How do we register?
All registrations are processed via Google form, which is available on the Registration page of this website.

Who arranges and pays for busing?
Schools are responsible for booking their own transportation. In an attempt to remove barriers to accessing these programs, we are able to provide funding for transportation to schools who would not otherwise be able to afford to come. The Program Department will cover the cost of transportation for classes to access programming at Akinomaagayegaamikoong once per academic year. Please let us know on your registration form if you would like to take advantage of this finiancial support.

Can we send more than one class at a time?
Programs can accommodate only ONE class at a time. If you are looking to share the cost of bussing , one class could book in for a morning program and the other could book in for an afternoon program. The class that is not doing the program could go on a hike around Island Lake, play on the natural playground, or engage in another classroom teacher-directed activity outdoors.

Meet the Staff at Akinomaagayegaamikoong

Jennifer Bailey, BA, MA, BEd. (she/her), has worked in the Upper Grand District School Board for the past fifteen years, teaching in Primary, Junior and Intermediate divisions and has experience with both Indigenous Education and Outdoor Education. As a settler on Indigenous land, she works in partnership with Indigenous educators, Knowledge Keepers and Elders in order to develop programming that is both culturally appropriate and vetted by community. She is passionate about getting students outdoors, connecting them with the natural world of which we are part, and helping them to become better treaty partners by learning about their responsibilities to this land and to our treaty partners, who have cared for this land since time immemorial.

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