Indigenous Education

At Horizon School Division, our initiatives aim to enrich the our students' educational journey by integrating Indigenous knowledge, languages, and traditions into our curriculum and daily school activities. Here's a look at some of the key accomplishments and ongoing projects:

 

Michif Programming
In partnership with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, this Kindergarten program will expose students to Métis and Michif culture. This program is based at Wakaw School and will infuse content, perspectives, and languages throughout the school day in all curricular areas. Students will enrich their learning and build culturally-relevant leadership skills.

Mastercard Foundation Resource Kits
With support from the Mastercard Foundation, we have developed resource kits to aid teachers on their journey towards Truth & Reconciliation. These kits focus on place-based cultural and traditional knowledge specific to Treaty 4 territory and include resources such as Cree and Saulteaux language materials, tipi teachings, and lesson plans that align with the holistic framework and curriculum outcomes.

 

Assessments and Holistic Framework
We've observed that a high percentage of our First Nations and Métis students perform significantly lower on traditional assessments compared to their non-Indigenous peers. In response, we are integrating tools that reflect Indigenous perspectives, which has shown significant improvements in student engagement and understanding.

 

Horizon’s Indigenous Education team hosted a booth at the 2024 Canadian Western Agribition, sharing hands-on activities, storytelling, and traditional teachings on honouring the land, acknowledging its gifts, and fostering a deep understanding of the connection between nature, culture, and identity. These practices are a cornerstone of Horizon’s commitment to reconciliation and Treaty Education.

 

Cultural and Professional Development
Our commitment extends beyond the classroom through various professional development opportunities for our staff, including Treaty Education, Blanket Exercises, and Truth & Reconciliation sessions. These programs help build a mutually respectful relationship between Horizon School Division and our First Nation partners.

 

Community and Cultural Events
Our schools and Division host events like tipi teachings, round dances, feasts, pipe ceremonies, and powwows. These events are crucial for fostering an understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures within the entire school community. Horizon is proud to host a flag raising ceremony each year on National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is an honour to participate in this important day with First Nations and community partners.

 

Awards and Recognition
Our efforts have been recognized with the Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education in 2021, highlighting our dedication to integrating Indigenous education into our teaching practices.
At Horizon, we believe in a future where every student has the opportunity to learn about, understand, and respect Indigenous cultures and contributions. We are proud to be at the forefront of Indigenous education in Saskatchewan, continually striving for excellence and innovation.