New Guide: First Nation, Inuit and Métis Presence in Rainbow Schools

The Rainbow District School Board today unveiled a new resource guide for staff entitled First Nation, Métis and Inuit Presence in Rainbow Schools. Reviewing the guide are Caroline Recollet, left, who co-ordinated revisions, Trustee Grace Fox, who chairs the First Nation Advisory Committee, and Bobbi Aubin, Literacy Co-ordinator for the Métis Nation of Ontario.

To view the guide, please click here.

The Rainbow District School Board today unveiled a new resource guide for staff entitled First Nation, Inuit and Métis Presence in Rainbow Schools. It’s part of the Board’s ongoing efforts to build bridges toward cultural understanding in keeping with the First Nation, Inuit and Métis Education Policy Framework in Ontario.

The guide highlights two very important objectives of First Nation, Inuit and Métis Education in Rainbow Schools – all students will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and appreciation of contemporary and traditional First Nation, Inuit and Métis traditions, cultures and perspectives and First Nation, Inuit and Métis students need to learn in a setting that recognizes their needs, values, cultures, identity, and challenges to help them succeed.

“I commend everyone who worked together to create this guide, an invaluable resource for educators and all school board employees,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper appreciation of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in our community. The guide provides a foundation on which we can continue to build an inclusive school community that respects differences and celebrates diversity.”

Originally produced by the Lakehead District School Board, a series of community consultations were held to adapt the guide for Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin. Rainbow District School Board’s First Nation Advisory Committee reviewed the guide to ensure it reflected the local area, including the 11 First Nations communities served by the Board. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, currency, and reliability of the content.

Trustee Grace Fox, who chairs the First Nation Advisory Committee, says the guide is a rich resource.  “We are proud of this publication and the information that it contains about our history, heritage, traditions, teachings, customs and practices,” she said. “We thank the Lakehead District School Board for laying the groundwork and commend Caroline Recollet for co-ordinating the revisions to reflect our local area. We look forward to sharing this knowledge with staff and administrators in Rainbow Schools so we can enrich learning opportunities for all students.”

First Nation, Inuit and Métis Presence in Rainbow Schools will create an Aboriginal cultural awareness in Rainbow Schools that will assist in delivering quality education, build a supportive school climate, meet the specific education needs for First Nation, Inuit and Métis students, and nurture relationships between Rainbow District School Board’s staff/administrators and First Nation, Inuit and Métis parents/guardians and families.

“The guide will be available to all staff and posted on the Rainbow District School Board’s website for all to access,” said Director of Education Jean Hanson. “It is an impressive document, one of many ways in which we are creating a sense of belonging for all students in Rainbow Schools. Our goal is to improve educational outcomes for students.”

According to the publication, “Factors that can contribute to Aboriginal student success include incorporating teaching strategies that support Aboriginal learners, curriculum with an Aboriginal perspective, sound counseling and support services, a school environment that makes everyone feel welcome, parental engagement and an understanding of Aboriginal cultures, histories and perspectives.  By addressing these factors, we will increase sensitivity to Aboriginal education needs.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.