The work of the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle is to provide feedback on Board planning regarding Indigenous education, to help build stronger relationships with communities and families to support First Nation, Métis and Inuit student achievement and well-being.

YCDSB formed its Indigenous Education Advisory Circle in 2007. This group consists of elementary and secondary principals, teachers, student representatives, Board personnel, trustees, superintendents and representatives from Indigenous communities.

The Goals of the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle are:

• To bring awareness to teachers and school support staff of the particular learning styles of Indigenous students and to their cultures, histories and perspectives.

• To improve achievement among Indigenous students, and to close the gap between Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students in the areas of literacy and numeracy, retention/graduation rates and advancement to post-secondary education.

• To provide support for board staff, school staff, and elected trustees to acquire knowledge of Indigenous student learning profiles, and to align programs and teaching styles to support Indigenous student learning.

• To focus on school cultures – it is essential that Indigenous students are engaged, feel welcome in school, and see themselves and their culture reflected  in the curriculum and the school community.