1. School District #71 Aboriginal Education Services
Aboriginal logo designed by Andy Everson for School District #71
Supporting the inclusion of Aboriginal services
into Comox Valley schools.

2. Intentions… To introduce Aboriginal Education Services Staff.
To explain who we support.
To show how we can support you.
To clarify roles and funding.

3. Aboriginal Education Centre Annex
665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C.
(Behind Courtenay Elementary School)
Bruce Carlos, District Principal Aboriginal Education
Sue Cambrey, Admin. Assistant
Gord McMahon, Curriculum Support 8-12
Gail Martindale, Curriculum Support K-7
Lynn Swift, Curriculum Support K-7
Suzanne Camp, District Cultural Resource Aide
Natalie Force, District Cultural Resource Aide

4. 665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C. (Behind Courtenay Elementary School)
Nala’atsi Program
Bruce Carlos, Principal Nala’atsi Program
Rory Mcclure, Nala’atsi Teacher
Heather Scott, Youth & Family Support Worker
Bobbie Bailer, Aboriginal Support Worker
Margo Douglas, Education Assistant
665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C. (Behind Courtenay Elementary School)
The District Aboriginal Education Staff work in the portable right across from this building

5. Approximate Breakdown of 1100 Aboriginal Students in SD71
… and growing!

6. First Peoples Principles of Learning
work
First Peoples Principles of Learning
All staff in Aboriginal Education are working with the First Peoples Principles of Learning:
First Peoples Principles of Learning

7. What is an Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA)?
“An AEEA is a working agreement between a
school district, all local Aboriginal
communities, and the Ministry of Education
designed to enhance the educational
achievement of Aboriginal students.”
The AEEA is signed by the Superintendent on behalf of all school district employees and all SD 71 staff are expected to work towards meeting these goals.
Each school district signs an AEEA with goals specific to that district. SD 71 is operating under its fourth AEEA, which ends June 2019.

8. Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement goals
Goal 1: To increase every Aboriginal students sense of belonging, cultural identity and self-esteem.
Goal 2: To increase the academic success of all Aboriginal students through personalized learning.
Goal 3: To increase the awareness and understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit history, traditions and culture for all students
Goal 4: To increase Aboriginal students’ skills, qualities and confidence in leadership.
Artist: Chris Paul. The raven & coyote represent First Nations teaching and learning; the human figure in the middle represents the children; the Métis symbol is incorporated within the circle and the four points are Inuksuk - symbol for Inuit, which signifies vision and direction.

9. District Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers
Elementary: Gail Martindale K-7:
Lynn Swift K-7:
Secondary: Gord McMahon 8-12:
Can:
Share/ Co-teach lessons relating to
the curriculum in your classroom
Help you integrate Aboriginal content into your lessons
Help to arrange special visitors or presenters
Liaise with Aboriginal Support Workers

10. District Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers Continued…
Can also:
Provide professional development for teachers
Facilitate multi-age gatherings of students
Help find Aboriginal resources to use in your classroom
Help facilitate large events such as the Big House
Experience, Salmon BBQ’s or Intergenerational school visits
Contact Sue Cambrey (Ab. Ed. Admin assistant) to direct you to the appropriate district staff member:

11. AbEd Support Staff There are 16 support staff in our local schools.
Support Staff titles include:
Aboriginal Support Workers (ASWs)
Aboriginal Home Support
Workers (AHSWs) Highland Sec. only

12. The Role of the ASW
The Aboriginal Support Worker is responsible for regular contact with all Aboriginal students in their assigned schools. How this contact looks will vary by school.
They can also:
Advocate for Aboriginal students
Contact parents to discuss progress, concerns, success
Help to organize special events or activities
May present about Aboriginal topics in classrooms*
Attend Aboriginal Education staff meetings and training
Collect data for accountability measures
Work within specific Aboriginal programs
Teachers please consult with ASW to make sure they are comfortable and knowledgeable with the topic. It is not the role of an ASW to “teach” any Aboriginal content in classrooms

13. District Cultural Resource Aides
Suzanne Camp K-12
Natalie Force K-12
Working with Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers to provide Aboriginal resources and lessons to teachers
Facilitating hands-on and experiential Aboriginal activities
Supporting ASW’s with resources and current information
Developing and creating kits for the Aboriginal Education Center

14. District Cultural Resource Aide Cont.
Help plan and coordinate large District events (Big House Experience, Recognition Ceremony, Aboriginal Culture Days)
Maintaining and updating Aboriginal Cultural Presenters list
Attending Aboriginal District Team meetings
May offer classroom presentations and oral stories*
Please consult with the District Cultural Resource Aide to ensure that they are comfortable with the content and are interested in doing a class presentation

15. Funding
“Funded Aboriginal education programs must be additional to any other programs and services to which an Aboriginal student is eligible, including provincial base funding, ELL and Special Education.”
School Districts receive funds for each Aboriginal student
All Aboriginal Education Staff in this district are covered under this funding policy.

16. Self-Identification Aboriginal ancestry is determined
on a voluntary basis through
self-identification. The students do
not need to prove they are
Aboriginal, nor do they need a
status card.
School districts report students participating in Aboriginal education programs and services on Form 1701.
Please be aware that students may know they have Aboriginal background but may not have any cultural or family background knowledge.
Picture:
Bryce Mercredi tying a sash around a Métis grad.

17. For more information: School District Website:
Aboriginal Education Website
Facebook:
Aboriginal Education Centre: