The Ministry of Education is making efforts to improve the achievement of aboriginal students in Ontario, and those efforts are being felt here in the northwest.
Last fall, the ministry established seven regional aboriginal education offices across the province—including one in Thunder Bay—to help implement its First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education policy framework, which officially was released in January.
“This is really and truly a big move by the Ministry of Education,” said Jack McMaster, director of education for the Rainy River District School Board.
“For years there was one gentleman in the province who oversaw aboriginal education,” he added. “It’s a wonderful step.”
“It’s a pretty exciting time in aboriginal education,” agreed Mary-Catherine Kelly, director of education for the local Northwest Catholic District School Board.
“We’re grateful to have that now in place,” she added.
The role of the office is to oversee the implementation of the framework, whose goals are to boost aboriginal student achievement, help close the gap in achievement between aboriginal and non-aboriginal students, and to increase public confidence in public education.
“Any time you have influence from aboriginal people in positions of responsibility, you certainly heighten cultural awareness, which increases activities within your school in terms of cultural activities,” noted McMaster.
“But [it] also starts to influence what is being taught in the school with respect to curriculum,” he added.
For example, Brent Tookenay was moved from his position as vice-principal at Fort Frances High School last September and was made assistant to the director.
“He’s making a huge difference,” McMaster said.
Tookenay is working with staff out of the aboriginal education office in Thunder Bay to ensure the curriculum has aboriginal content and resources for teachers, and to ensure there’s enough aboriginal staff to teach classes such as Native as a Second Language and Native Studies.
Part of the goal is to “develop an appreciation and an understanding—not just by aboriginal kids but for all kids—of aboriginal history and culture.”
“They are connecting with our native language teachers to provide long-range support,” Kelly noted.
“The north has so much to offer other parts of the province. We’re seen as the leaders in native education,” she added.
The ministry’s framework also calls for improving students’ literacy and numeracy skills, training teachers in methods that are appropriate for aboriginal students, and encouraging more parents to get involved in their children’s education.
“It can only mean greater student success for aboriginal students,” McMaster said.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
