The start of this new school year has looked different for many of our students, including those from the Katzie First Nation, who live on Barnston Island and attend public school in the Surrey School District.
In preparing for the return to school, the district's Aboriginal Education Council worked to ensure indigenous rightsholders were engaged in meaningful consultation around their concerns and to address options for students living on reserve. The council - with membership from community, district and parents - represents Aboriginal interests in the way that Aboriginal programs and services are provided, and strives to promote better understanding of, and appreciation for, the contributions of Aboriginal cultures within our schools and community at large.
"We've had this history with encountering smallpox and tuberculosis, even influenza, that were very devastating to a lot of First Nations communities," said Lyn Daniels, Director of Instruction with Aboriginal Learning. "People have memories of that, and so they want to protect their elders and their communities. These are really small communities."
"Many districts are providing outreach to their local First Nations where the request has been made to have instructors come in," said Gordon Powell, District Principal of Aboriginal Learning. "They really want to keep the reserve isolated from the surrounding communities for safety purposes."
Using the blended learning program as a framework, the district worked with the Katzie First Nation to have students on Barnston Island receive in-person instruction at Tetotun, a brand new wellness centre, with recently added wireless internet hotspots for students. The Aboriginal Learning department is also providing additional personnel to support instruction.
"One of our cultural presenters is a Katzie member and so he is going to provide cultural support to the students as part of the program," added Powell.
"This is really an incredible opportunity to have the students reconnect to their language and reclaim their cultural traditions," said Daniels.
In consulting with the Semiahmoo First Nation, Daniels said students and parents decided to continue attending local schools, noting there are fewer Semiahmoo students living on reserve than Katzie students.
Daniels also said the accommodations for Katzie students have been met with positive reaction from parents, thankful to have the opportunity for their children to learn on Barnston Island.
"They said, You don't know how many phone calls we were making to our band, to our leadership, and really advocating for students to have their education here,'" Daniels said. "The parents are so thrilled and relieved that we could do this."
