Indigenous Education

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario gathers on the unceded, traditional Algonquin territory of the Anishinaabe people, as well as the traditional Mohawk territory of the Haudenosaunee people. We respect both the land and the people of this land, including all Indigenous people who have walked and continue to walk in this place.

Melissa Mader-Tardif
Indigenous Education Lead
613-933-1720 or 1-800-267-7136
Melissa.Mader-tardif@cdsbeo.on.ca

Colby Demerchant
Indigenous Education Secondary Consultant
613-209-9288
Colby.Demerchant@cdsbeo.on.ca

Stéphanie Nelson
Indigenous Grad Coach
343-774-2097
Stephanie.Nelson@cdsbeo.on.ca

Classroom Education

The CDSBEO is continuously working to support Indigenous education for all K-12 students. Below are just some of the learning opportunities happening across the Board:

Learning from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous community partners including;

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, Wampum Belt Teachings, Inuit Games, Medicine Wheel Teachings, Basket Making, Beading, Traditional Cooking, Food Systems, Lacrosse, Medicine Pouch Teachings, Métis Nation Building, Storytelling, Inuit Survival Tools, Socials, and more

Supporting Ontario Curricula on;

Residential schools, treaties, the legacy of colonialism, and the rights and responsibilities we all have to each other as treaty people

Registering and exploring Indigenous studies high school courses;

Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures (Grade 9), First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada (Grade 10), English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices (Grade 11), World Views and Aspirations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Communities in Canada (Grade 11), Indigenous Ways of Knowing (Grade 11), and Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context (Grade 12)

Self-Identification 

Indigenous Self-identification is entirely voluntary, confidential, and proof of ancestry is not required. Self-identification provides First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students with access to a variety of educational opportunities to support their learning journey from Kindergarten-Grade 12 with the CDSBEO. Some of these educational opportunities that position them for success include:

• Indigenous Grad Coach Support
• Tutoring where available 
• Cultural Teachings
• Field Trips
• Connections to Indigenous agencies 
• Referrals to social, emotional, physical, and mental support resources

Please click the following link for more information: 

If you have any questions, please contact Indigenous Education Grad Coaches Stéphanie Nelson or Kaajuk Kablalik for more information.

Note: All parents/guardians of Indigenous students, and students aged 18 of age or older, have the right to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify. Through self-identification the Board is able to collect relevant information which helps to provide programs and strategies supporting the needs of First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners. The information is being gathered in accordance with section 29(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have already completed this form for your child, it is not necessary to re-submit every year. 

The First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework was released in 2007 and outlined our approach to supporting First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners in Ontario. The framework identified two primary challenges to be addressed by 2016: 

• to improve achievement among First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students 
• to close the achievement gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students

For more information on Ministry documents that support our work please visit: 

Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education policy framework (2007) | ontario.ca 
Indigenous education in Ontario | ontario.ca 

Educational Services Agreement

St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School is the CDSBEO Educational Service Agreement High School with the Ahkwesàhsne Mohawk Board of Education. If you are interested in learning more about St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School, visit their website at sjcss.cdsbeo.on.ca.