School Directory

First Nations Education

Reconciliation in Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD)

Lloydminster Public School Division, located on ancestral and traditional lands of Treaty 6 and homeland of the Métis, endeavours to ensure personal excellence for all students. First Nations and Métis Education is a priority and  LPSD is committed to answering the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that pertain to education.  Through this commitment, we aim to support each student through a journey of reconciliation of Head (understanding), Heart (feeling) and Hand (action). Our students have inspired us to keep going on this path because “We are All Treaty People” . To hear our students’ voice and think about the journey ahead, watch this video that summarizes our work in 2017-18.  https://youtu.be/pDLP-cqnFZA

 

Reconciliation in LPSD is multi-faceted. As such:

  • We are working towards inclusion of First Nations, Métis and Inuit content into all curricula.  
  • We are encouraging authentic community engagement from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis community.
  • We are fostering partnerships with the Aboriginal community to support the cultural and holistic development of our students.
  • We are supporting students and families as they transition from home to school, school to school, and to a world of work and post secondary education.

 

On September 9th, 1876, along the North Saskatchewan River 45 minutes north of Lloydminster, the signing of Treaty Six took place at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. The numbered treaties were formed to assist with establishing a country and were needed to begin the expansion of Western Canada. On Sept. 9th, 2019 we acknowledge the ancestral and traditional lands of Treaty 6 and homeland of the Métis, for we are all Treaty people.

Orange Shirt Day

Children of residential schools are honoured annually on Orange Shirt Day.  The campaign slogan - Every Child Matters - loosely translates to KIHCI-ITA-KIS-IW in Cree, which means All Living Things Matter.  As part of First Nations culture, childhood is the foundation of our journey through life.  Building a strong foundation is vital to the development of the person they will become. The translation of all living things matter honours the Cree holistic value that everything in life is sacred.  Orange Shirt Day began to help spread awareness for children who attended residential schools. The orange shirt symbolizes these children having their identities stripped away. LPSD schools will be celebrating the culture and honouring the history through age-appropriate lesson and activities on September 30th.

 

Orange Shirt Day Resources:

LPSD People:

Cheryl Thomas, Aboriginal Coordinator at cheryl.thomas@lpsd.ca

Denae Bruce, LCHS FNMI Coach/Teacher at denae.bruce@lpsd.ca

 

Books:

When I was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Speaking Our Truth: Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith

Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence

When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson

A Day with Yayah by Nicola Campbell and Julie Flett

A Stranger at Home: A True Story  by Christy Jordan-Fenton

They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars

The Orange Shirt Story: Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad

 

Websites:

Orange Shirt Day Website

Residential School Stories - About 40 stories told by people who survived the residential schools

Interactive Residential School Map

Manitoba Teachers’ Society - Lesson plans and resources for all ages.

 

Videos:

 

Murray Sinclair: Truth and Reconciliation

Murray Sinclair discusses the Indian Residential School system in Canada and its impacts on those who attended the St. Joseph's Mission in Williams Lake and the First Nations of Canada. Video clips of events between May 16, 2013 Truth and Reconciliation Testimonial Gathering in Williams Lake BC and the Orange Shirt day held on Sept. 30, 2013.

St. Joseph’s Residential School Stories - Phyllis’ story

There are a great deal of stories that the Residential School has left in its wake, and most are not pleasant. The problem we have today is not many people know about what it was like. Jonathan Horst heard some of the stories from William Lake’s local school and discovered that it's not something that should be forgotten.

St. Joseph’s Residential School Commemoration Project

Very recently the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came to Williams Lake. Their arrival gave those affected by the Residential schools a place to share their experience and begin to heal. But this Commemoration project was unique, and Jonathan Horst of Williams Lake found out why.

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Cree Programming in LPSD Schools

  • Elementary Cree Clubs
  • Cree Classes at E.S. Laird Middle School
  • Cree 10 at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School

Small Fires Indigenous Mentorship Program

Our Small Fires Indigenous Mentorship Program (SFIM) is designed to engage and connect First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) and non-Indigenous students through culturally-based programming within Lloydminster Public School Division. Through mentorship, students will be involved in building relationships through school outreach; students provide mentorship within the school community, including the elementary, middle and high schools. This also provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, responsibility and interpersonal skills by educating the school community about the history of Indigenous people and the enduring impacts of colonization. 

SFIM responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's (TRC) 94 calls to action to advance reconciliation by offering programming that strengthens the learning connected to Indigenous perspectives, cultures, histories and Indigenous ways of knowing. “Reconciliation begins for each of us with one very simple concept reflected in the events at first contact and in the Treaties: I want to be your friend, and I want you to be mine. When you need me, I’ll have your back, and when I need you, you’ll have mine." (Sinclair, 2015 ) We aim to start a path of education, raise awareness and build relationships within LPSD so all our youth believe in themselves and are empowered to invest in their future. 

The Objectives of the Indigenous Mentoring Program: 

  • Provide students with a sense of belonging while developing a strong connection to self, peers and society.
  • Investing in student’s physical, emotional, spiritual and mental needs.
  • Educating through culture while working with Elders
  • Assist students in developing their academic potential while engaged in the learning process and encouraging the pursuit of higher education.

 

If you are interested in participating in our Small Fires Mentorship program please contact:

Denae Bruce 

denae.bruce@lpsd.ca

(780) 875-5513 

Reconciliation Projects in LPSD Schools

Small Fires Gathering 2.0

Strengthening Your Path sôhkâskohtâ kimêskanâs

“Strengthening Your Path” is a reconciliation project driven by Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) students. Students will collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn about the history of Lloydminster from a First Nations and Métis perspective."

 

Reconciliation Resources for Teachers - Click Here to for a List