A Vision for Aboriginal Education

The inspiration for this project was to support and build upon a regional dialogue that would lead to further strategies and clear commitments from all educators as we work to serve each learner, families, and communities. With a spirit of collaboration, a commitment to transformation, and an
“If not here, where?” mindset, we approached Director Ted Cadwallader of the British Columbia Ministry of Education to share our School District 85 (Vancouver Island North) aspirations. Shortly thereafter, the vision and partnership was expanded to include four other school districts to host focus sessions on Aboriginal

Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom. Our efforts have been inspired by regional First Nations leadership and the many courageous Nino’gad (Knowledge Keepers), warriors, and thinkers that are at the forefront of transformation and changing paradigms. In addition to finding our way locally, we are guided by influential works such as the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015), the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996), and the “First Peoples Principles of Learning” (2008 – see the Introduction to this document for details).