Capstone Project PME896
A Useful Guide to Improve First Nations Education in the St. Johns Area

Key Policy Issues

http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/295/Key-policy-Issues-in-Aboriginal-Education_EN.pdfSubtopic

Language Revitalization

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indigenous-language-revitalization-in-canada

Lack of current policy

https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/files/eap-report.pdf

Rationale

The first Indigenous Education Policy for the Newfoundland English School District acknowledges the Indigenous Education Agreement created by the Newfoundland Government and looks to rework and further extend the importance of this agreement. Indigenous groups form a significant part of the province’s population with approximately 100,000 individuals self-identifying as being Indigenous. The government task force highlighted two focus areas within Indigenous Education that need to be the focus to enhance educational outcomes. The first, was to improve teaching and learning outcomes for Indigenous students. The second was to enhance understanding of Indigenous knowledge, history, experiences, culture, and practices for all teachers and students in the province. Across Canada it has been acknowledged that systemic change is required in how we implement Indigenous Education Policies, and we know that students perform better when there are strong partnerships within the school and with the community.

When I started this masters program I chose the Indigenous Education focus as I had hoped to study more into how I can be a better advocate for Indigenous Canadians and how I can do my part to further impact the progress of Truth and Reconciliation. I have been able to accomplish this goal so far in my courses and it all started with the course on Indigenous Policies in Canada. At the end of this course we were asked to analyze the policy of where we are currently living, critique it and then reformat it into an improved policy. The issues I ran into here in Newfoundland, was there a serious lack of any formatted Indigenous Policy. The only policy that existed was a half page document put forward by the education department. I decided to take it upon myself to create a policy document for the Newfoundland School District, utilizing the existing BC document on Indigenous Education and some serious research into the First Nations people of the area.

Rationale

I am going to use the program Canva, to create a meaningful, educational and succinct document, that can reach audiences at many different levels. I am choosing to use Canva as I find it simple to navigate, with the end product being a well put together, readable and interesting document.

What it is

The following booklet I will create is a resource guide for the First Nations demographic of the City of St. Johns Newfoundland and surrounding area as well as suggestions for educators and community partners on how to support the First Nations of this region.

What is offered

Local community resources:
First light: First Light is a non-profit organization that uses donations from many companies to create programs for the Indigenous population and non-Indigenous population surrounding the St. Johns area, although most programs are tailored to the First Nations community.


People of the Dawn Friendship Center: PPIFC is a non-profit organization that delivers culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people– regardless of status– in urban communities surrounding St. Johns and beyond. Every Friendship centre is as unique as the area it serves allowing for programs and services that vary for the needs of the surrounding community.

I have amassed a ridiculous amount of material and secondary research material over the course of my programs.... far too many to list here :)