Aboriginal Education
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Kamloops School District No. 73 is located within the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people and includes the seven Secwépemc First Nations Bands:
- Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
- Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band
- Skeetchestn Indian Band
- Simpcw First Nation
- Adams Lake Indian Band
- Little Shuswap Lake Band
- Neskonlith Indian Band
The District provides educational services to a diverse multicultural population of approximately 14,500 students, approximately 15 per cent of which are of Aboriginal ancestry. The Aboriginal student population in the District continues to increase.
The District and representatives of participating First Nations Bands work in partnership to ensure that a Local Education Agreement (LEA) is implemented, monitored, revised as necessary. The committee also makes recommendations or decisions regarding programs and supports for students living on-reserve.
Enhancement Funds are provided to the District to support all self-identified Aboriginal students of First Nations, Inuit and Métis ancestry in the areas of achievement, language and culture. The Aboriginal Education Council and the District work collaboratively to ensure that the expenditure of targeted funds is in line with the criteria set out by the Aboriginal Education Enhancements Branch, Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Day of Sucwentwécw 2024
This year’s theme, “Our shared learning is embedded in memory, history, and story through courage, wisdom, and local Indigenous perspectives,” is based on the First Peoples Principles of Learning and Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives. This is an opportunity for all schools to continue to embed the First People’s Principles of Learning, and to address the Calls to Action as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Day of Sucwentwécw (Acknowledging One Another) is an annual initiative. This year it will be held on April 5, to recognize and celebrate the Secwépemc People (Secwepemcúl’ecw) and other Aboriginal people residing within the Secwépemc Territory. Learn more.
Aboriginal Education Council (AEC)
The School District No. 73 Aboriginal Education Council was officially formed in 1994 by a gathering of the seven local First Nations the School District served. This formation included voices from the Métis community as well as the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society. The Aboriginal Education Council wanted to work with the School District to address Aboriginal student outcomes.
The Aboriginal Education Council (AEC) oversees the interest of all Aboriginal learners in the support, implementation, and assessment of programs and services that improve the school experience and academic achievement of those learners. The current Aboriginal Education Council consists of a representative from each of the seven local First Nations, as well as the Métis Nation, the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, the North Thompson Aboriginal Society, and the Board of Education. To learn more about the Aboriginal Education Council, watch this video that tells the story of the council and the council’s goals of achieving optimal life chances for Aboriginal students in SD73.
2023 Indigenous Student Leadership Summit video can be found here.
Cultural Traditions and Protocols
Acknowledging the territory is performed at any important function such as a school assembly, awards night, graduation, a celebration including Aboriginal communities, etc. It may also be performed prior to an important meeting or presentation. Acknowledging the territory is a way of honouring and showing respect for a group of people who have been living and working on this land from time immemorial. A “Welcome” to the territory is only offered by the First Nations people who are traditionally from the territory. Visitors, including everyone who is not a member of the traditional First Nation, would “acknowledge” the territory.
Acknowledging Traditional Territory
Acknowledgement of Territory in Secwepemctsin
Aboriginal Education Resources Website
Documents
| Aboriginal Family Counselor (AFC) Program Annual Reports |
| Annual Report on Aboriginal Students |
| Aboriginal Girls Groups in School District 73 |
| PDF of the Girls Group manual |
| Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement |
| Signed Agreement |
| A Handbook for Parents of Aboriginal Students in SD73 |
| Link to a PDF file of the handbook |
| Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Competency Guide |
| Scholarships and Bursaries for Aboriginal Students in SD73 |
| Information about Bursaries and Scholarships for aboriginal students can be found here. |
Local Education Agreements
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