Aboriginal Programs
Aboriginal Education Worker (AEW) Program
Secwepemc Language Instruction Program
- There are currently 43 Aboriginal Education Workers providing enhanced support to Aboriginal students in our schools.
- AEWs provide front-line academic, social, emotional, and cultural support to students. They also act as a liaison between and among parents, bands, teachers, principals, students, counsellors, Ministry and community agencies.
- The AEW Program is one of the key district strategies in building capacity for change at the school level.
- The program has been in operation since 1989, and is designed to provide educational opportunities to Aboriginal youth who struggle to be successful within a mainstream secondary school program.
- The program’s philosophy is to provide a sense of belonging for students within a socially comfortable and culturally enhanced environment. Flexibility is provided within the curriculum content, structure, and teaching methods in the program, with the goal of helping Aboriginal students attain a Dogwood Certificate.
- Program staffing includes teachers, AEWs, and Aboriginal Family Counsellors.
- The AFC Program was implemented in 1996 with a mandate to provide counselling and cultural support to Aboriginal students and families to increase their chances of school success and enjoyment. Many Aboriginal students face current and historical social issues that are barriers to achieving success in school.
- The Aboriginal Family Counsellors are of Aboriginal ancestry with Bachelors or Masters Degrees in Social Work or related fields, as well as experience in working with Aboriginal children and families.
- Link to AFC report
- Funding is made available to schools to implement academic improvement programs, primarily for reading readiness and literacy skills improvement. The Oral Language Development Program (S.O.L.V.E.D.) is now being offered in 2 high Aboriginal population elementary schools, and is demonstrating success in improving the reading readiness of kindergarten and grade 1 students.
These improvement initiatives are based on a results-based plan that is developed and implemented by the school. The results of each project are reported to the Aboriginal Education Council on an annual basis. - These improvement initiatives are based on a results-based plan that is developed and implemented by the school.
- The results of each project are reported to the Aboriginal Education Council on an annual basis.
- This year 14 schools received additional funding to implement an improvement project.
Secwepemc Language Instruction Program
- The Secwepemc Language Instruction Program is an important aspect of providing relevant cultural programs in our schools – it supports the belief that public schools can play a role in supporting and enhancing First Nations languages.
- Secwepemc Language programs are currently available at the following schools: Marion Schilling Elementary, Arthur Hatton Elementary, Brocklehurst Middle School, South Kamloops Secondary, and Valleyview Secondary.
- Our intermediate elementary students are taking Secwepemc Language as their required language credit. At the secondary level, students can now take Secwepemc Language from Grade 8 through Grade 12.
- One of district’s new goals in our second Enhancement Agreement is to increase the Secwepemc Language instruction in our schools, and develop any necessary additional curricula. A Secwepemc Language Advisory Group has been established and is providing leadership in language initiatives.
- The Secwepemc 8 Curriculum has been successfully implemented during the last 3 school years. The Grade 8 instruction provides a natural ladder into the upper level courses.
- The Secwepemc Language 11-12 curriculum development has been completed and the Grade 11 Course was first offered in the fall of 2009-10. This Course will fulfill the university entrance requirement for second language credit.
Secwepemc Museum Education Program
- The education and cultural services provided by the Kamloops Indian Band Secwepemc Museum are important elements of cultural education in the district’s Aboriginal Education Plan. These services are designed to provide an enhanced awareness and understanding of Secwepemc history, culture, and current issues.
- The Museum provides cultural education to students in district schools through Museum and Heritage Park visits and tours. The Museum also utilizes educational resources and exhibits that can be used for classroom teaching. The Museum Cultural Educator and the Museum Coordinator also make classroom presentations and participate in school-wide cultural events.
- Resources are provided annually to support after school tutoring programs. These Programs are delivered at the Aboriginal community level and at the school level in both elementary and secondary schools.
- These tutoring and homework club programs are meant to provide academic support to students based on their needs and based on the School Growth Plans of the participating schools.
- In June, all of the Programs submit a report about the “impact” of their programs.