Press Release
In order to help ensure success for aboriginal students enrolled at schools in the Rainy River District School Board, the board has invested in the Aboriginal Education Leader position for an additional five years.
With a significant number of aboriginal students attending district schools, the local public board places a high priority on aboriginal education.
Initially, the Aboriginal Education Leader position was developed with the goal of seeing an improved graduation rate for aboriginal students.
Since that time, the position has evolved, leading to the development of a variety of unique programs that support local aboriginal education, including the Aboriginal Perspectives Toolkit, the development of an annual native language/native studies conference, the introduction of secondary native studies courses, and the initiation of the Ojibwe Immersion program at Mine Centre School.
In addition to this role, the Aboriginal Education Leader also plays a key role in the board’s Equity and Inclusive Education initiatives, as well as acts as a liaison between the Rainy River District School Board and the First Nation and Métis communities in Rainy River District.
“The Rainy River District School Board recognizes the importance of supporting our aboriginal students with locally-relevant programming,” said board chair Michael Lewis.
“We feel that the programming that has been developed helps to promote achievement for our aboriginal students,” he noted.
“In addition, this programming helps all of our students to better understand each other.
“The Aboriginal Education Leader plays a key role in leading these initiatives and developing relationships with First Nation and Métis communities and organizations,” Lewis added.
“These relationships are critical to building the trust necessary to achieve successful communication and, ultimately, positive results for students,” he stressed.
