Actions and Commitments

Call to Action # 63: Education for Reconciliation (62-65)

Saskatchewan School Boards Association – 28 School

April 1, 2018

Education Agreements: School divisions and First Nations do enter into partnerships and tuition arrangements in Saskatchewan and it varies in each school division.

Curriculum Development for mandatory Indigenous History and Culture: In 2007, mandatory Treaty Education was introduced in publicly-funded Saskatchewan Schools. The goal is that by the end of Grade 12, students will understand that Treaty relationships are based on a deep understanding of peoples’ identity which encompasses: languages, ceremonies, world-views, and relationship to place and the land.

When curriculum renewal occurs mandatory elements in the learning program in Saskatchewan should include opportunities for exposure to the rich and diverse history of the First Nations and Metis peoples in Canada, their contributions as well as the history and legacy of the Indian Residential School era. In other words, the SSBA is striving to have every Grade 12 Saskatchewan student, upon graduation, to have taken at least one course that explores the history of Canada’s First Peoples.Teacher Education Programs: Since the implementation of mandatory Treaty Education in grades K to 12 in 2007, teachers have had professional development opportunities to become “Treaty Catalysts Teachers” workshops delivered by representatives from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. In addition, school divisions provide professional development opportunities for “teaching the treaties in the classrooms”, and most recently the University of Regina, Faculty of Education invited Saskatchewan Teachers to their annual “Treaty Ed Camp 2016”.