Appendix A
Selected Aboriginal Education Initiatives in Alberta 1987-2001
Selected Aboriginal Education Initiatives
Since 1987 when the Department of Alberta Education (now the Department of Alberta Learning) introduced the "Policy Statement on Native Education in Alberta," a number of initiatives have been undertaken to improve the educational opportunities and learning successes of Aboriginal learners in Alberta.
Basic Education
Aboriginal Language Courses - In collaboration with members of the Aboriginal community, the ministry has developed Blackfoot and Cree 10, 20, 30 courses, which are currently being taught in some Alberta high schools. Junior high school learning resources for both Blackfoot and Plains Cree are presently being developed in cooperation with First Nation Education Authorities, namely the Kainai Board from the Blood reserve and Treaty 6 Tribal Ventures. Alberta Learning and the Alexis Board of Education are developing a locally developed Stoney/Nakoda 15, 25, and 35 program.
Aboriginal Learner Information - The ministry is currently examining ways to gather Aboriginal learner information (for both basic and adult learning) in support of cross-government Aboriginal Policy Initiative activities.
Aboriginal Studies Program - The Aboriginal Studies 10, 20, and 30 program is the first provincial program in Aboriginal Studies. Field testing was completed in June 2001. Optional implementation is expected to commence shortly. (Optional implementation rather than provincial implementation provides Alberta Learning the opportunity to identify resources with Aboriginal perspectives.)
Alberta Initiative for School Improvement - In 2000/2001, a proposal for professional development to improve teachers' awareness and sensitivity for Aboriginal students and their families was approved through the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement.
Amiskwaciy Academy - In 2000, Alberta Learning, in conjunction with Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations and Alberta Infrastructure, provided funding to Edmonton Public Schools to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of a new school dedicated to meeting the unique needs of Aboriginal high-school students.
Métis Nation of Alberta Association (MNAA) - Under the Alberta/MNAA Framework Agreement, the department provides funding to the MNAA to support outcomes-based education projects.
National Aboriginal Achievement Awards - The department provided funding to the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to assist with the delivery of the 2001 Career Fair and Awards Gala.
Native Education Projects - With the establishment of the Native Education Project fund in the late 1980s, approximately $4.0 million per year has been set aside for community-initiated Aboriginal education projects. School jurisdictions enter into contracts with Alberta Learning for Native Education Projects, supported through the Native Education Grants Fund. In 2001/2002, $5,383,000 was granted for Native Education projects to school jurisdictions. There were 44 projects including the hiring of Aboriginal Liaison Workers, language instructors and counselors, development of educational curricula and resources, and program support for Aboriginal language instruction:
- Curricular materials have been developed with the assistance of the Native Education Project, and have been approved for use in all Alberta schools:
1985 A Century of Peace
1986 Blood Lands: A Century Later
1986 Summer of the Loucheux
1986 Walking with Grandfather
1986 The Peigan: A Nation in Transition
1987 Peter's Birthday
1987 Sarcee Reserve
1987 Annette's People
1987 Peter's Moccasins
1987 Canada's People: The Métis
1988 Alberta's Métis: People of the Western Prairie
1988 The Winds of Change: Indian Government
1989 The Land of the Bloods
1989 Billy's World, Grade One
1991 Legacy: Indian Treaty Relationships
1992 Student Expressions Anthology
1992 Bush Land People
The Cree People (plus teacher's guide) - Language programs are available to all schools in Alberta and are approved for use and high school credit where applicable.
1985 Cree Bibliography - Sacred Circle Project
1989 Cree Language and Culture Program - Grades 1 - 9
1991 Blackfoot Language and Culture Program - Grades 1 - 9
1992 Blackfoot Language and Culture 10, 20 and 30: Program of Studies
1992 Cree Language and Culture 10, 20 and 30: Program of Studies
1993 Siksika Language Series Kit Levels 1, 2 and 3
1994 PISIM Series Cree - Grades 1, 2, and 3
Billy's World - Cree Syllabics - Native language learning resources are being developed and published for Cree 10, 20 and 30; Blackfoot 10, 20 and 30; and Siksika (Blackfoot) Language Series, Levels II and III.
- A Cree dictionary, University of Alberta/Alberta Cree Elders collaboration, was published in 1996.
- A video series designed to accompany Teaching Native Languages in High School/A Teacher Resource Manual has also been prepared.
- A number of resources have been designed to increase cultural awareness.
1985 Pow Wow Fever
1986 Visions: Indian Art
1988 The Art of the Nehiyawak
1989 Native Awareness Workshop Leaders Guide and Video - Behind the Mask
1993 Shadow Puppets: Indian Myths and Legends
Student Health Initiative - This initiative is a collaborative effort among Alberta Learning, Alberta Children's Services, Alberta Health & Wellness, and the Alberta Mental Health Board. It is designed to provide support services to special needs children in school programs. Support services include psychological services, speech-language, occupational, physical and respiratory therapy, and nursing services.
Western Canada Protocol Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) Project - The department has participated in the development of a Western Protocol Curriculum Framework that includes recognition of the contributions of Aboriginal people in areas such as history, culture and language.
World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education 2002 - The department has provided technical and professional support to the organizers of this conference, the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium.
Post-Secondary Education
Access Fund Grants - Teacher preparation in areas such as Aboriginal Teacher Education continues to be identified as a system priority through Access Fund grants through to 2002/2003.
Aboriginal-Controlled Post-Secondary Institutions - There are a number of Aboriginal-controlled post-secondary institutions in Alberta. While Alberta Learning does not provide operating funds to Aboriginal controlled post-secondary learning institutions, the department does provide student financial assistance to adult learners provided they are in departmentally approved training programs offered by the institution.
Aboriginal Learner Information - The department is currently examining ways to gather Aboriginal learner information (for both basic and adult learning) in support of cross-government Aboriginal Policy Initiative activities.
Apprenticeship Programs - The department is involved in a number of activities to promote apprenticeship training among Aboriginal people in Alberta.
- Staff from Alberta Learning's Apprenticeship & Industry Training (AIT) field offices promote the trades in Aboriginal communities through school career fairs, Job Corps, and training centres throughout the province. Apprenticeship entrance exams are administered in many Aboriginal communities across the province as required. In addition, AIT has approved a number of pre-employment programs in several Aboriginal communities. These programs provide participants with an opportunity to challenge the first-year apprenticeship exam upon successfully completing the program.
- Alberta Learning provides support to the Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Project, a joint initiative between industry and Aboriginal representatives designed to increase Aboriginal participation in Alberta apprenticeship programs. Phase I of this 5-year pilot project was implemented in June 2001 in Edmonton with the assistance of Alberta Learning.
- Aboriginal Health Careers Bursary
- Alberta Blue Cross Scholarships for Aboriginal Students
- Theodore R. Campbell Scholarship
- Robert C. Carson Memorial Bursary
- Special consideration is given to Northern Aboriginal Students through Northern Alberta Development Council Bursaries.
