Indigenous experience playing a role learning

Providing historical and cultural context for the indigenous experience goes beyond the classroom, but it’s a great place to start.

That was the message Alan Beckingham, principal of aboriginal education, brought when he spoke to Okanagan Skaha School District 67’s education committee Wednesday about schools’ efforts to introduce a widespread focus on indigenous history, culture and experience in their curriculums.

Beckingham said efforts to provide an “enrichening aboriginal education” had so far been successful, but there would be room for continued development.

“Why should we invest time and money in this?” Beckingham asked the room. “Because it’s something as an education system that we need to pay attention to.”

Beckingham said the best way to teach a more indigenous-focused curriculum would be to educate not only the students, but the teachers and the community at large as well.

“Community involvement will be an expensive venture, but very worthwhile,” he said.

A cultural activity program that would be available for schools could potentially be funded through cost-sharing, he said.

Examples of elementary-level courses he presented on a mock-up ranged from language instruction and dance to presentations about the residential school system.

The presentation was wellreceived by the committee.

“It’s all certainly very promising,” said Superintendent Wendy Hyer. “We’re excited to see how much more we can do.”

Although the graduation rate for indigenous students was higher this year, Beckingham said not to focus on the numbers, which fluctuate, but instead on systematic change through building a solid curriculum.

Approximately 830 students in the district claim indigenous ancestry.