York Catholic District School Board

Indigenous Education

Welcome
Aaniin | Ateliani | Boozhoo | Khwe | Kuwiinguneewulohmwa | Shé:kon | Tawnshi | Tunngasugit | Waciye | Hello
We are glad you are here

Celebrating, Connecting, Collaborating

Celebrating Indigenous
Heritage

We want our students to be proud of who they are

Connecting with Indigenous Communities

We connect with Indigenous communities to make sure we are walking together.

Cherishing Our
Students

We educate and cherish the whole child: mind, body, and spirit

Land Acknowledgment

We are gathered on the ancestral lands and waters of all Indigenous Peoples, who have left their footprints on Mother Earth before us.

We respectfully acknowledge those who have walked on it, those who walk on it now, and future generations who have yet to walk upon it.

We pray to the Creator for strength and wisdom that all may continue to serve as stewards of the Earth.

Toronto and York Region Métis Council Sash, Photo credit Katie Quinn

Visual Representation of the YCDSB Land Acknowledgment by Todd Jamieson, Indigenous Artist and YCDSB Knowledge Keeper

The YCDSB acknowledges that for thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have lived on this land.

The YCDSB operates on traditional territories covered by Treaty 20, Williams Treaties and Treaty 13. We acknowledge the Original Peoples who lived and worked on this land, including the Haudenosaunee, Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Acknowledging the territory where we gather and the people who have traditionally called this land home is one of the ways the YCDSB is participating in the actions necessary for Truth and Reconciliation.

YCDSB’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Indigenous Education Advisory Circle (Indigenous community partners, YCDSB Board and school staff) developed a Land Acknowledgement Statement. This statement is inclusive of all Indigenous Peoples. It honours those who have walked this land in the past, the present and those who will walk it in the future. It is a respectful validation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Each of our schools, in conjunction with Community Partners, is in the process of writing their own Land Acknowledgement, you can read them here.

We believe students develop spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially.
We believe that all students can be successful and experience joy in learning.
We believe that all students can reach their full God-given potential.
We believe in connecting to and celebrating our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and supporting their unique spiritual, emotional, physical and mental needs.
We believe in affirming pride in cultural identities and honouring the rich histories and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in our schools.

YCDSB Mission and Vision
Mission Statement

With Jesus Christ as our model, we provide all students with a Catholic education rooted in equity, well-being and learning.

Vision Statement

A recognized leader in Catholic education committed to inclusion, excellence and innovation that develops socially responsible global citizens.

Walking Together
Address of His Holiness, July 2022

"The Holy See and the local Catholic communities are concretely committed to promoting the Indigenous cultures through specific and appropriate forms of spiritual accompaniment that include attention to their cultural traditions, customs, languages and educational processes, in the spirit of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

It is our desire to renew the relationship between the Church and the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, a relationship marked both by a love that has borne outstanding fruit and, tragically, deep wounds that we are committed to understanding and healing".

~ His Holiness, Pope Francis, Meeting with Civil Authorities, Representatives of Indigenous Peoples and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Address of His Holiness, July 27 2022 (full text)

Let's stay in touch

@IndigenousYCDSB