Indigenous Education

By. Amber Cartledge

Innovative First Nations Schools Find
the Key to Success
Summary of the Article

• “Phantoms”
• Non-indigenous schooling when Cain was in Grade 7.
• Tom and Lorna Butz offered schooling called iCount.
• Classes suited the students’ cultures and needs.
• Cain is receiving good grades and has dreams of
becoming a firefighter.
 Questions for a Deeper Inquiry
1. How does the UNDRIP relate to the iCount schooling program?
2. What is the success rate of each student after they graduate from iCount?
3. What is the difference between the iCount schooling program and the
schooling program at Oskayak High School?
4. How does the iCount schooling program effect the students in both
positive and negative ways?
5. Is iCount a successful example of the fulfillment of the UNDRIP?
 Vocabulary

Wet’suwet’en: The local Elder: Someone who is “a Aboriginal: Being the

language spoken in custodian of knowledge” and first or earliest known
Moricetown, B.C. has permission to give of its kind in a region.
knowledge.
 Education Crisis and iCount

• Parents fear that their children are failing to

develop their identity.
• Over the past 10 years: funding increased by
19% and 45%.
• $71.1 billion
• iCount allows students to learn at their own
speed.
• Encourages responsibility and accountability.
 LOTS & HOTS Questions
1. How might a student thrive in a more cultural based education program?
2. Where might the school expand to if it chooses to build a school entirely
based on the iCount program?
3. Who is in-charge of creating the school curriculum and school schedule at
iCount?
4. Why is the program running out of the top floor of a community centre if so
many students want to join the program?
5. When might the iCount program team up with another aboriginal school,
such as Oskayak High School, to further their student’s learning?
UNDRIP → 3 Connections

1. The Right to Cultural Identity.

(Part 1, Article 2)

1. Assimilation or Destruction of Culture.

(Part 2, Article 8)

1. The Right to Know and Use Language.

(Part 3, Article 13)
Should Canada be seen as a successful example of the
fulfillment of the United Nations Declaration of
Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)?
YES → iCount has tried to
follow the UNDRIP and help
the kids learn about their
culture.
NO → There are still many
indigenous students in regular
schools, failing to learn about
their culture.
“Glossary of Terms.” Glossary of Terms | Indigenous Teaching,

WORKS CITED
www.indigenousteaching.com/glossary-terms.

“Aboriginal.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/aboriginal.

“Canada's Aboriginal Education Crisis [ Column].” Canada's Aboriginal

Education Crisis [ Column] | Windspeaker - AMMSA,
www.ammsa.com/publications/windspeaker/canada%E2%80%99s-
aboriginal-education-crisis-column.

“» ICount High School.” Moricetown Band, www.moricetown.ca/kwes-

education/icount-high-school/