Aboriginal Education in the Nicola-Similkameen Valleys

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional ancestral, unceded, territory of the Nłaʔka'pmxux Nation and Syilx Nation.

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Acknowledging the territory is performed at any significant event such as school assemblies, awards, meetings, presentations, graduation, celebrations in Aboriginal communities are some examples. Acknowledging the territory is a way of honouring and showing respect for a group of people who have been living and working on this land from times before colonization. A "Welcome" to the territory is only offered by the First Nations people who are traditionally from the territory. Visitors, including everyone who is not a member of the traditional First Nation, would "acknowledge" the territory.

Who Are We?

School District #58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is proud to serve students from our six local Bands, the Métis Nation and from Indigenous communities outside of our district. The Coldwater Band, Lower Nicola Band, Nooaitch Band, Shackan Band, Upper Nicola Band, Upper Similkameen Band, the Métis and School District #58 are mutually committed to the success and best education possible for all Indigenous Students.  Improving the area of Indigenous Education is a focus of our present work in the Nicola-Similkameen and we are committed to listening and working collaboratively with the First Nations and Métis community to do so. The School District No. 58 Aboriginal Education Program provides services to students of Indigenous Ancestry to enrich their school experience. A rich cultural component is provided to approximately 40% of our students who report Indigenous ancestry, Our Indigenous​ Education Enhancement Agreement provides the goals, strategies and structures as a framework for the success of our students. As outlined in our Local Education agreement, some examples are; “To ensure that they are confident in their self-identity, their families, their communities and traditional values, languages and cultures; To give them the skills they need to thrive in contemporary society, including 21st-century technological skills; To prepare them to access any opportunities they choose for higher learning, employment and life choices.”

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Oct
23
Fri
Pro-D Day
Oct 23 all day
Dec
21
Mon
Winter Break
Dec 21 2020 @ 8:30 am – Jan 3 2021 @ 11:45 pm
Jun
16
Wed
MSS Graduation Celebration @ Merritt Secondary School
Jun 16 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Aboriginal Graduation 2021:

All grads must RSVP with their First Nations Support Workers to reserve tables by May 21, 2021

Princeton Secondary School, the Bridge
Renee Hartwell, FNSW
rhartwell@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-295-3218 Ext. 3320

Merritt Secondary School
Rod Anderson, FNSW
randerson@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-378-5131

Kengard Learning Centre
Keith Jager, FNSW
kjager@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-315-1208

Seating is limited to 6 guests per Grad

Jun
17
Thu
MSS Graduation Celebration @ Merritt Secondary School
Jun 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Aboriginal Graduation 2021:

All grads must RSVP with their First Nations Support Workers to reserve tables by May 21, 2021

Princeton Secondary School, the Bridge
Renee Hartwell, FNSW
rhartwell@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-295-3218 Ext. 3320

Merritt Secondary School
Rod Anderson, FNSW
randerson@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-378-5131

Kengard Learning Centre
Keith Jager, FNSW
kjager@365.sd58.bc.ca or 1-250-315-1208

Seating is limited to 6 guests per Grad

Jun
19
Sat
PSS & The Bridge Graduation @ Princeton Secondary School
Jun 19 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Jun
21
Mon
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Jun 21 all day
Jun
24
Thu
Kengard Learning Centre Graduation @ Kengard Learning Centre
Jun 24 @ 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Jun
29
Tue
Last Day of Classes
Jun 29 all day
Sep
30
Thu
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation-No School
Sep 30 all day
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation-No School

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30 and there will be no school on this day.