First Nation/Inuit/Metis
Regina Catholic schools focus on the Continuous Improvement Framework priorities to ensure increased awareness and understanding of First Nations and Métis cultures and to support equitable opportunities and outcomes for students of First Nations and Métis ancestry throughout the curriculum. Supports are offered in the following initiatives:
Mandatory Treaty Education K-12
Regina Catholic schools continue to work closely with the Office of the Treaty Commission to build system wide capacity. A team of Treaty Teacher Leaders assist and support teachers at there respectful schools in the successful implementation of the topic of treaties in the classroom. Teachers in grades kindergarten to grade 12 are provided professional development opportunities on the implementation of Teaching Treaties in the classroom.
Cultural Classrooms
3 elementary schools (St. Augustine, Holy Rosary, and St. Michael) and 1 high school (Miller High) will have established multicultural classrooms that provide increased awareness and understanding of First Nations and Métis cultures within the school. These single classrooms embrace First Nations and Métis traditional values, but are inclusive to the diverse population of students in the schools. The use of the Medicine Wheel is an important symbol used in the classroom to promote peace, harmony, balance and connection.
Honoring Cultures in the School
Creating a sense of pride and identity is promoted through First Nations and Métis dance and music within schools. Elementary students are able to participate and learn about the rich Métis culture through dance and history teachings during noon hour and afterschool sessions offered at various schools.
Miller High has implemented a First Nations Drum group facilitated by a recognized First Nations Elder and helpers who teach traditional First Nations drumming to a group of 15 boys.
In partnership with the Intercultural Grandmother an extension with the U of R 6 Female Elders attend St. Francis Community and Miller High school to work closely with classrooms to deliver a program on racism and discrimination.
First Nations Elders “Traditional Knowledge Keepers”
First Nations Elders made available to the schools. The Elder in schools assist with cultural awareness, linking First Nations and Métis community to school, support the retention and acquisition of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, provide support and advocate for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students and families and assist teachers within the classroom. Regina Catholic school division Elder Mike Pinay assists the schools by offering curriculum actualization and promote Catholic distinctiveness.
Circle of Voices
The Regina Catholic School Division has carefully considered the best practices required for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. We acknowledge that the First Nations, Inuit and Métis student population is growing within Regina Catholic Schools. The Regina Catholic School Division has searched to learn from past and current educational practices to create a dynamic educational vision for the future, to enable student success for all students.
As the First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations are growing at a significant rate within the city of Regina, and the province of Saskatchewan, student demographics are constantly changing within Regina Catholic Schools. The Board wishes to ensure Regina Catholic schools are able to meet the needs of and preparing students to be contributing, faith-filled members of society in the 21st century. In keeping with the Regina Catholic School Board Policy, the Board “recognizes that pupils of Aboriginal ancestry represent a significant minority group. Divergent educational responses may be required to help them succeed in their educational development (Aboriginal Education Policy 1300)”.
In 2006-2007 the First Nations, Inuit and Métis department of RCS researched and summarized past, current and suggested future practices, within Regina Catholic Schools, and met with numerous dialogue groups to create a vision for the future. They researched practices, considered other educational practices across Canada and feedback from the dialogue groups to create a foundation for future directions for the Regina Catholic School Division. The intent was to meet the needs of a significantly growing student population of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students within RCS.
A 3 year plan was created to be implemented in 3 phases:
1. Awareness (2007-2008) Professional Development opportunities for teachers to understand First Nations and Metis ways of knowing.
2. Action (2008-2009) consisting of a continuation of opportunities for teachers to be
offered opportunities for FNIM understanding and actualize the curriculum integration
and resources available to assist with reinforcing teaching content and the new
mandatory K-6 Treaty Units.
3. Empowerment (2009-2010)- teachers are offered more classroom supports but are empowered to implement First Nations and Metis ways of knowing. Resources will continue to be provided to assist with actualizing curriculum.
