Indigenous Education

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board supports and is committed to the holistic success of Indigenous students. It is the aim of the board to deliver culturally appropriate education programs and services to support all staff and students, academically and professionally, to ensure the highest rate of success. All students succeed when the rich history, culture and diversity of our community is understood, respected and celebrated.

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring success of Indigenous students attending Hastings and Prince Edward schools. The local Mohawk and Anishinaabe communities, along with the Métis Nation of Ontario, are key partners in this work.

Through consultation, communication, and collaboration, the board is working to address three main goals in Indigenous Education:

  1. To increase student achievement and well-being.
  2. Increase knowledge, understanding, awareness and inclusion of First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures and perspectives in all schools for all staff and students.
  3. Increase community engagement of First Nation, Métis and Inuit Partners.

"What we do now and in the years ahead matters a great deal. It matters not only for those who are with us today, but also the generations to come and those who are not with us here today whose memories we must honour." - Murray Sinclair

Why Indigenous Education?

It is important to recognize that Indigenous peoples have rich and vibrant cultures that are celebrated regularly. There exist historical policies intentionally created by the Canadian Government to disrupt and destroy Indigenous culture. As an educational institution, HPEDSB has a moral obligation to teach the truth about these historical events, issues, and impacts; however, it is equally necessary to discuss and celebrate the resilience and accomplishments of Indigenous peoples.

Mandate and Commitment

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has a self-identified Indigenous population that represents over 10% of the board's overall enrolment. The Ministry of Education identified Indigenous Education as a priority in 2007. Since then, the programming and approaches have been continuously evolving throughout the province and the board to address the goals of:

  1. Improving Indigenous student achievement and well-being, and
  2. Enhancing for all students the knowledge and awareness about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, histories, contributions and perspectives.

The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan prioritizes the board's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #10, which in part calls for efforts to be made to close identified educational achievement gaps within one generation, improve education attainment levels and success rates, develop culturally appropriate curricula, and assert and teach Indigenous languages.

For more information, please see our Indigenous Education Advisory Committee page.