Equity and inclusivity is a priority of the York Catholic District School Board, as a key tenet of Catholic faith. Over the years, we have acknowledged the need to foster better relationships with members of our communities, in particular, the Indigenous community of York Region, so that we can work together to make our schools safe places to learn and grow academically and spiritually.

As we continue to build our collective understanding about the history and struggles of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, we are reminded that the Canadian Catholic Bishops urge all Catholics to commit to continuing to walk together with Indigenous Peoples and to build a more just society, where their gifts, and those of all people, are nurtured and honoured. 

Over the years, conversations that once began at kitchen tables have inspired action in our schools. The Ontario Ministry of Education has identified Indigenous Education as one of its key priorities. The 2007 First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework in Ontario outlines the strategies to improve achievement among First Nation, Métis and Inuit students, and to integrate First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, histories and perspectives throughout the Ontario curriculum.

Since 2007, our initiatives have included: 

1. Making our Indigenous students visible in order to support unique needs
   Self-identification initiatives
   Connection with community programs and scholarship opportunities
   Engage parents and community members as partners in education
   Parent engagement evenings
   Focus on the positive achievements of Indigenous peoples

2. Integrating culturally responsive materials and learning experiences in our schools
   CRRP (Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy) Tool kit to assist teachers in selecting materials for their classrooms.
   School specific Land Acknowledgments created in collaboration with Indigenous community partners
   Students from every high school participated in a field trip to Gidinawendimin "We are all Related" during Orange Shirt Day week

3. Creating Board-wide learning opportunities
   Orange Shirt Day livestream
   National Truth and Reconciliation Week
   Medicine Wheel Canoe project
   Blanket Exercise in our high schools
   Treaty Awareness Week packages for classrooms
   National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
   Louis Riel Day
   Red Dress Day & National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+
   National Indigenous Peoples Week
   National Indigenous Peoples Day
   Experiential learning presentations, art, dance, music, drama, smudge practices
   Distribution of quality resources to our schools to supplement Ministry-approved texts
   Infusion of books in school libraries, in partnership with Good Minds, Indigenous Educational Resources
   Indigenous Community members presentations in art, music, drumming, poetry, wampum and storytelling
   Virtual book clubs
   Drumming and dancing circles
   Wampum evenings 

4. Educating Staff
   Community Speaks Professional Development Evenings: teacher competency training, paint night, sweetgrass braiding, blanket experience, poetry, beading, story telling, drumming, virtual book clubs
   Blanket exercise certifications

5. Developing Curriculum
   Replacement of ENG3C/U1 by NBE3C/3U1 Contemporary Indigenous Voices, so that all graduates of the YCDSB will have been afforded the opportunity to be exposed to Indigenous literature and voices
   NBE 3U/C Contemporary Indigenous Voices English Course lessons and presentations
   Developing curriculum writing to support teachers delivering new courses, with resources curated in a digital platform for all to access
   Grade 1 Early year literacy
   Grade 2 Math through patterning wampum
   Grade 3: Integrate Indigenous teachings into the Science and Technology program
   Grade 6: The Barren Grounds trilogy read-aloud initiative
   Grade 7 Social Studies
   Grade 8: Literacy Circles
   
   
   We recognize that education is only one part of the larger picture for creating a better future for all students. We are committed to working with community members, staff and students on ways to improve relationships and nurture humble experiences that are based on mutual respect and appreciation for Indigenous perspectives, experience and wisdom. Reconciliation requires sustained education, open dialogue and youth engagement about the history and legacy of residential schools, Treaties and Indigenous rights, and the historical and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples.