How NSD is overcoming barriers to be a leader for Indigenous education excellence

Maddy Daniels, Board Chair and Lorraine Cardinal-Roy, Director of , Métis and Inuit Learner Success Introductions - Tansi, Edlánat’e

Maddy Daniels, Board Lorraine Cardinal-Roy, Chair Director of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Learner Success Northland School Division No.61 (NSD)

NSD Facts

At NSD, 95% of students are either of First Nation or Métis heritage. We have 2579 students in 24 schools covering 288, 347 square km’s. History of Northland School Division

● December 30, 1960: the Minister of Education established NSD ● 1965: NSD Act proclaimed law by the Legislature. ● 1961-1983: NSD operated with official and appointed trustees. ● 1983-2010: The Board of the NSD comprised of chairpersons from the Local School Board Committees. ● 2010-2016: On January 21, 2010 the Minister of Education appointed Dr. Colin J. Kelly as Official Trustee. The Local School Board Committees remained in an advisory role to the schools. ● 2016-2017: On July 13, 2016, Minister of Education David Eggen announced the appointment of Lois Byers as Official Trustee. ● 2017-Present: On May 4, 2017, the new NSD Act received Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. ● 2017 - Present: On October 16, NSD School Communities Elected A School Board For The First Time Since 2010. Northland School Division Act NSD Electoral Wards Continued..

Ward Trustee Communities First Nations with Education Service or Tuition Schools within Ward Agreement

1 Maddy Daniels, Board Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement Paddle Prairie School, Dr. Mary Jackson Chair School Keg River

2 Cathy Wanyandie Susa Creek Susa Creek School

3 Randy Anderson, Vice Gift Lake Métis Settlement Whitefish Lake First Nation (No.459), Utikoomak Gift Lake School, Bishop Routhier School Chair Peavine Métis Settlement Lake (No. 155/ 155A/ 155B)

4 Jesse Lamouche East Prairie Métis Settlement Kapawe’no First Nation (No. 150B/ 150C/ 150D/ 229/ Hillview School, Northland School Grouard 230), Sucker Creek First Nation (No. 150A)

5 Louis Cardinal Peerless Lake, Trout Lake, Little Peerless Trout First Nation (Peerless Trout Indian Peerless Lake School, Kateri School and Buffalo Little Buffalo School Reserve No. 238), , Woodland First Nation (No. 226/ 227/ 228)

6 Silas Yellowknee Desmarais, Sandy Lake No. 458 (Wabasca No. 166/ Mistassiniy School, Career Pathways 166A/ 166D, Pelican Settlement) School, Pelican Mountain School

7 Robin Guild Wabasca, Lake Bigstone Cree Nation No. 458 (Wabasca No. 166B/ St. Theresa School, 166C) School Continued..

Ward Trustee Communities First Nations with Education Service or Tuition Schools within Ward Agreement

8 Loretta Gladue Calling Lake Bigstone Cree Nation No. 458, Jean Baptiste Gambler Calling Lake School, Calling Lake Outreach No. 183

9 Rubi Sakeskanip Mikesew Cree First Nation No. 461 (Dog Head No. Athabasca Delta Community School 218, Devil’s Gate 220, Allison Bay No. 219, Sandy Point No. 221, Old Fort No. 217) Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation(Chipewyan No. 201/ 201A/ 201B/ 201C/ 201D/ 201E/ 201F/ 201G)

10 Jules Nokohoo Anzac, Chard, Conklin, Fort Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier No. 194, Anzac Community School, Bill Woodward McKay Cowper Lake 194A, Winefred Lake School, Conklin Community School, Father Indian Reserve No. 194B) R. Perin School, Fort McKay School Fort McKay First Nation No. 467 (Fort McKay Indian Reserve No. 174/ 174C/ 174D/ Namur Lake No. 174A/ 174B/) Fort McMurray No. 468 First Nation (Gregoire Lake No. 176/ 176A/ 176B, Clearwater No. 175)

11 Karen Telford Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Elizabeth School, J.F. Dion School Fishing Lake Métis Settlement The New NSD Board of Trustees Action taken by Board of Trustees

On April 20, 2018, the Board of Trustees approved the third and final reading of Policy 1 - Foundational Statements.

● Commitment Statement: To inspire students to be the best they can be by providing outstanding holistic educational opportunities, with amazing staff and strong partnerships with families and communities.

● Vision Statement: “Our students love to come to school in Northland” Continued Values - Seven Sacred Teachings Continued - Mandate & Outcomes

Mandate: 2.1) To provide an education program that aligns with the standards of education set by Alberta Education and enables students to successfully complete grade 12 and to provide programs and opportunities that enhance and support the integrity and self- development of each child entrusted to its care. 2.2) In order to meet its mandate, the Board commits to setting and achieving learning outcomes that are in line with Alberta Education outcomes. Action taken by Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees approved Policy 21 - Community Voice and Community Engagement.

The following support NSD’s decision making and Calls to Action

NSD’s policies, Alberta Education’s procedures and Business Plan outcomes

NSD Call to Action - Blanket Exercise Continued NSD Call to Action - Learning Pebbles Training NSD Call to Action - Land-based Learning Continued

Photo courtesy of Brandon Piper, Harvard Broadcasting NSD Call to Action - Indigenous Language Professional Development Continued Continued How Professional Development is helping Indigenous Language Instructors

https://goo.gl/z4Tk1t https://goo.gl/TuoU5W How Professional Development is helping Indigenous Language Instructors

https://goo.gl/rUqiy3 https://goo.gl/DTB3L9 “Education is what got us here, and education is what will get us out”

- Senator Murray Sinclair

Source: https://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/kitchi-blanket- exercise

Photo Source: https://www.sencanada.ca/en/senators/sinclair-murray/