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Schools working to incorporate First Nations and Métis culture into all classes

May 12, 2016 | 5:00 PM

The Living Sky School Division is pushing to integrate education about First Nations and Métis culture into all parts of school, rather than as just an add-on unit.

In a presentation of his report on First Nations and Métis students to the school board, Superintendent Jim Shevchuk said integration could be as simple as using examples of First Nations culture in class or integrating some Cree language.

Of particular interest to Shevchuk is the “land-based learning” component which is a camp for students.

“They’re doing really interesting school-based things but just in a different classroom–outside,” he said. “All kinds of students are going out and really enjoying it and we have a lot of opportunities for that throughout the region, so I think that’s exciting.”

Shevchuk said this past year teachers have been focusing more on finding ways to help students get credit and graduate and he’s seen a big improvement.

“I think now that they’re paying attention to it we’re doing better,” he said.

The most urgent area in need of improvement is attendance, Shevchuk said, because that’s a huge factor in whether a student will graduate.

“We need students with good Grade 12 so they can graduate and go out in the world and feel like they’re not going to be underemployed, but that they have a good opportunity to make things happen in their lives,” he said.

Another area the school is looking to improve is a better represented staff. Shevchuk said nine per cent of staff identify as First Nations or Métis, compared to 30 per cent of students in the division and 50 per cent specifically in North Battleford. He said the hiring teams are making an effort to reach out to different communities to recruit.

“We’re looking to hire the best person and there are really good people out there who are in those identifiable groups, so when we can attract them to work here that’s just a win for us,” he said.

 

Sarah.rae@jpbg.ca

@sarahjeanrae