Winnipeg school division strives to include Indigenous perspectives

Students and educators in Winnipeg’s Seven Oaks School Division are highlighting initiatives designed to bring Indigenous perspectives into the classroom. Rebecca Chartrand, division lead for Aboriginal education, recently received a Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Award from Indspire for her work developing the division’s Aboriginal Education Policy, which ensures Indigenous knowledge is incorporated in all core curricula. Another initiative, in partnership with local organization Ka Ni Kanichihk, involves a transition program for Indigenous youth from the North that must travel to Winnipeg for school. As well, the Community Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP), a partnership between Seven Oaks School Division, Winnipeg School Division, and the University of Winnipeg, allows Aboriginal educational assistants to complete their program while working full- or part-time for Seven Oaks. Division teacher Amy Carpenter also strives to include Indigenous perspectives in all courses, which student Kaigan Olson said gives her a "sense of place." "It just gives you a sense that you’re still here. And people need to learn you’re still here because there are still people that think really stereotypical things of you," said Olson. Winnipeg Free Press