Indigenous Education
Gordon Terrace's Indigenous Support Worker is Teri Shatowsky
The Ministry of Education is responsible for Indigenous Education in the BC public school system kindergarten to grade 12. Through the Learning Division, Indigenous Education, the Ministry is committed to working with education partners, school districts, and Indigenous communities to improve Indigenous student success.
Aboriginal Education Enhancements
Indigenous Education - K-12 Funding
Provincial funding for indigenous education in the BC public K-12 school system is $61.5 million for the 2010-11 school year. This funding enables school districts to deliver enhanced education programs and services for Indigenous students who self-identify as being of Indigenous ancestry [see funding policy].
Reciprocal Tuition
In 2009, BC agreed to fund First Nations schools for students eligible to receive a provincially funded education. This program is called Reciprocal Tuition because First Nations remain responsible for the tuition of students who live on reserve but who choose to attend public schools. [more]
Monitoring and Reporting
To monitor and report on Indigenous student success in the Province, the following mechanisms are in place:
- How Are We Doing? Performance Data
The Ministry of Education collects data to monitor the performance of Indigenous students in the BC public school system. - Accountability Framework
The Accountability Framework includes: Annual School Plans developed by School Planning Councils and Achievement Contracts, supported by Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreements. - Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreements
Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements are developed in collaboration with the school district, Aboriginal communities and the Ministry of Education, and include goals to improve Aboriginal student success.
Indigenous Education Resources
The First Peoples Principles of Learning
The First Peoples Principles of Learning are affirmed within First Peoples communities and are being reflected in the development of all K-12 curriculum and assessment. First identified in relation to English 12 First Peoples, the First Peoples Principles of Learning generally reflect First Peoples pedagogy. The term “First Peoples” includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada, as well as indigenous peoples around the world.