Indigenous Education

Indigenous students

When you identify Indigenous ancestry, we learn more about our students and develop appropriate programs that reflect First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultures. Students benefit from learning about indigenous perspectives via:

• Native Studies courses;
• cultural opportunities; and
• resources and materials.

Seeking Two Student Representatives for the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle (IEAC)

The Indigenous Education Advisory Circle is a group comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members and Durham Catholic District School Board staff.  The circle meets throughout the year to plan the direction of Indigenous Education at the Durham Catholic District School Board.

The Circle will meet seven times throughout the 2018/2019 school year.  Meetings take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., once a month except during December 2018, January and April 2019.  Meetings usually take place at the Catholic Education Centre, 650 Rossland Road West, Oshawa. 

Transportation to and from the meetings will be arranged and provided by the Teaching and Learning Department of the Durham Catholic District School Board.

The IEAC is looking for two secondary students with a First Nations, Inuit or Métis background. One student from Grade 9 or 10 and another student from Grade 11 or 12. The students will join the IEAC in learning about Indigenous Education, and planning how Indigenous Education is supported in the Durham Catholic District School Board.

If you are interested, please submit a letter expressing your reasons for joining the IEAC. The letter must include your name, grade in September 2018 and the name of your secondary school. Please forward your letter via email by Friday, June 29, 2018 to:

James MacKinnon, 
Indigenous Education, Teaching and Learning Consultant
Durham Catholic District School Board
Email: james.mackinnon@dcdsb.ca

How to self-identify

We encourage First Nation, Métis and Inuit students to voluntarily self-identify their Indigenous ancestry. The following options are available to parents and students:

• New families can indicate Aboriginal ancestry on our online registration form.
• Current families can download a self-identification package which includes a letter from our Director of Education or obtain a package from the school secretary.

Complete the self-identification form on-line, then print and return to school.

Community links

The following are community programs available for Indigenous students:

• Carea Community Health Centre - Aboriginal Programs 

Contact us

For questions or more information, call our Indigenous Education consultant at 905- 576-6150 ext. 22291.