We will achieve equity of outcomes for Indigenous learners in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. We will continue to examine our environments, structures, and practices to identify and address barriers. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships with First Nation communities as rightsholders and collaborate with community partners who support Indigenous children and youth and their families. We will embed learning about Indigenous culture, perspectives, and language in the daily experience of learners in our schools. Some examples of the work of our plan are:
- District-wide staff learning about Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous culture, Circle of Courage and trauma-informed practice
- Planned school-wide culture learning aligned with calendar of local cultural seasonal activities
- Visible language and culture across schools (Knowledge keepers in schools, ceremony, welcome signage, elders posters)
- Review of school libraries and resource collections and additional funding for Authentic First Peoples Resources
- Recognizing cultural learning in community with graduation program credits (local Independent Directed Study framework)
- Meaningful engagement of schools and district in Local Education Agreements (LEA)
- Re-engagement with Equity in Action
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER for equity for Indigenous students and learning about local Indigenous culture for all students and staff:
District Day South End Gathering
Horse Lake Elementary
The staff of Horse Lake Elementary joined staff from other South End schools on the afternoon of the September 8 District Day to take part in Indigenous learning opportunities across the district.
Horse Lake Students Treated to Indigenous Trapping Presentation
Horse Lake Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary students recently learned about Indigenous ways of securing food and pelts through trapping. Greg and Karen Pellerin demonstrated some of the trapping methods they used to capture animals, and they also brought along a number of furs that they had tanned and preserved.
Indigenous Artwork Enhances School Entrance
Horse Lake Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary recently upgraded its entryway with the addition of a specially commissioned carving by Spirit Carver Dean Gilpin, originally from the Redstone Reserve near Puntzi Lake.
Horse Lake Students Help Erect Teepee For Outdoor Learning Space
Horse Lake Elementary
Tony Solomon spent the day working with our students on how to construct teepees and educating us on their cultural significance. Students started with building a 10 foot ‘learning teepee’ that everyone could help with, and it was large enough to accommodate the entire kindergarten class.
South End Schools Are Treated to a Day of Indigenous Learning at Tsq’escen on Indigenous Day
Forest Grove Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary
100 Mile Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Students from 100 Mile, Horse Lake, Mile 108 and Forest Grove learned how to play double ball, Lahal, and make pitch medicine. Thank-you to Eliza Archie Memorial School for hosting such a great event.
Horse Lake Class Hosts Learning Pow Wow
Horse Lake Elementary
The grade 3/4 class at Horse Lake spent the day immersed in Indigenous culture during a recent learning Pow Wow with Mike Archie, Trish Meraw, and Lydia Dick of the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation at Canim Lake.
WLFN Brings Drum Circle To Horse Lake Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary staff and students were thrilled to host Danikka Murphy and William Lulua of WLFN as they brought their Drum Circle to our school. They described the cultural significance of the drum as a 'heartbeat' and showed the students how they were constructed and maintained.
Chief Willie Sellars Entertains Horse Lake Students with His Books
Horse Lake Elementary
Staff and students of Horse Lake Elementary were thoroughly entertained by a visit from Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation, who treated us with readings from two of his children's books, Dipnetting with Dad and Hockey with Dad.
Secwepemc Storyteller Entertains Horse Lake Students
Horse Lake Elementary
First Nations performer, Kenthen Thomas, entertained our student body with his fascinating and animated retellings of legends of the Secwepemc, his family land for more than 10,000 years. He learned storytelling from his late grandmother, respected and legendary Secwepemc elder Dr. Mary Thomas.
Horse Lake Kindergarten Class Visits Horse Lake Farm Cooperative
Horse Lake Elementary
The Horse Lake Kindergarten Class revisited the Horse Lake Farm Cooperative Farm for the second of a number of recurring visits. Murray Casey, a Tsq’escenemc First Nations Elder, welcomed the students to the land by singing and drumming a First Nations welcome song.
Indigenous Plant Cultural Mapping
Horse Lake Elementary
"Horse Lake Elementary's grade 7 class travelled to the north shore of Horse Lake to record where a variety of Indigenous plants were located and respectfully harvest some of the plants, under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs. Pugh.
Grade 7 Students Lead Horse Lake Orange Shirt Day Assembly
Horse Lake Elementary
The Horse Lake Elementary grade 7 students, under the guidance of their teacher, Lisa Pugh, organized and presented our school's Orange Shirt Day Assembly.
Primary Students Attend Healing For Our Children Traditional Pow Wow
Horse Lake Elementary
The Tsq'escen First Nation at Canim Lake invited our grade one and two students to the Healing For Our Children Traditional Pow Wow to experience the event. Our students were fascinated with the dancing and the regalia, and then jumped at the opportunity to join the dancing.