Grande Prairie Public School Division acknowledges that we live and learn on Treaty 8 Territory, the ancestral and contemporary home of the Cree, Dene and Métis people.
We recognize the need to take appropriate action to bridge and build our relationships with our Indigenous families and communities in a way that further supports our Indigenous students.
GPPSD Indigenous Education Program
Our Indigenous Liaisons work to improve student & staff Foundational Knowledge. This work includes:
- Facilitate/mediate meetings between students, families, school staff and relevant community partners.
- Bridge the connections between families, schools and appropriate community agencies with the goal of improving Indigenous student success.
- Identify at-risk students and develop positive relationships with them and their families.
- Provide Indigenous cultural presentations to classrooms to improve student & staff Foundational Knowledge.
- Provide home visits when needed to help strengthen the relationship between families and schools and, ultimately, student success.
- Provide connections for Schools to Elders, Knowledge-Keepers and identify opportunities for support from within School families.
- Organize and support School Division Indigenous cultural programming when needed.
- Support student transitions from Middle School to High School.
- Support student graduation planning (High School).
- Support student applications for scholarships and bursaries (High School).
Focusing on ensuring our learners have the supports in place that are required for school success, our School Division employs an Indigenous Programming Coordinator who oversees and supports two positions at the High School level and five positions at the K-6 and K-8 levels.
The Coordinator also coordinates cultural activities in our schools by ensuring that community resources are available to the schools. Our commitment is to have culturally respectful learning opportunities available to all students in all grades in our system.
Connecting with Culture
Graduate Honouring Ceremony - We have established a meaningful tradition of honouring our Grade 12 graduating students who come from Indigenous backgrounds. To celebrate their achievements, we hold a very special event that involves teachings and ceremonies by elders, along with traditional drumming and singing performances. As our students cross the stage, they are presented with either an Eagle Feather or a Métis sash to recognize their accomplishments and heritage. It's a beautiful way to acknowledge and celebrate their journey.
The Indigenous Education Program will continue to represent GPPSD on the Zone 1 First Nations, Métis and Inuit Advisory Committee, Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services, Orange Shirt Day Committee, Grande Prairie Round Dance Committee and in various other capacities to support Indigenous student success.
For more information, please contact:
Shauna Livesey
Indigenous Programming Coordinator
Indigenous Program
Grande Prairie Public School Division
Phone: 780-532-4491
