​​What's Happening In the ALCDSB – Indigenous Education

 The Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board resides on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosuanee peoples. We are proud to support all students in becoming discerning believers, lifelong learners and responsible citizens. This includes supporting First Nations, Metis and Inuit students and ensuring that all students and staff have a better understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives.

 The ALCDSB shares three main goals with the Ministry of Education for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students in Ontario: High Levels of Student Achievement; Increasing Equity and student Well-being; and High Levels of Public Confidence. As a Catholic faith community, our service to the needs of our students is reflected in the three pillars of Catholic education – Discipleship, Scholarship and Stewardship.

 Discipleship:

The ALCDSB seeks to inspire and nurture strong communities of Catholic faith with all partners in Catholic education – home, school, parish and community. On May 18th, the ALCDSB along with our local First Nations community, the City of Kingston, and the Department of National Defense Aboriginal Advisory Group, hosted the first annual Katarokwi Community Powwow. This experiential learning day included educational workshops provided by the ALCDSB along with a full cultural powwow celebration that was provided by our First Nations community partners.

Scholarship:

In an effort to build capacity among teachers, who for the most part have had little or no opportunity to engage in Indigenous education themselves, the ALCDSB provides engaging learning opportunities that support teachers in the classroom. In the 2015-2016 school year, we have provided capacity-building professional development programs for all Grade 6 teachers as well as all Kindergarten-ECE education teams. Additionally, we have provided Collaborative Inquiry workshops for our Grade 12 Religion teachers, Itinerant Arts teachers, and Kindergarten-ECE education teams.

Stewardship:

In an effort to highlight the importance of a holistic understanding of well-being and to raise awareness of mental health issues among Indigenous people, renowned journalist and author Richard Wagamese spoke to students at three of our high schools in the fall of 2015. Richard's personal story of being raised in foster care and his struggle with mental health issues is inspirational to all but resonates particularly among Aboriginal students.

 As well, the ALCDSB hosted its first Indigneous Student Roundtable at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School in May. Forums such as this, as well as the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Leadership Camp attended by six of our students in April, provide important opportunities that encourage student voice in our communities and provide needed leadership opportunities for Indigenous students.