About Us
Introduction to the Aboriginal Education Program
The School District No. 23 Aboriginal Education Program provides services to students of Aboriginal Ancestry to enhance their school experience. An Aboriginal student is someone who self identifies as being of Aboriginal Ancestry (First Nations, status and non-status, Inuit, and Métis). Only the student, parent or guardian can "self-identify," not Bands or district staff.
The Program includes:
Aboriginal Student Advocates, as per School District No. 23 Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement, provide:
The Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Terry Beaudry, is responsible for the Aboriginal Education Program. She works closely with the Aboriginal Education Council and the District Principal - Aboriginal Education to implement the goals.
Contact: (250) 470-3225 ext. 6845
The District Principal Aboriginal Education, Joanne DeGuevara, coordinates and provides leadership to the Aboriginal Student Advocates, the Cultural Facilitator, and classroom teachers.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 6038
The District Aboriginal Consultant/Resource Teacher, Kevin Kaiser, provides assistance with district wide cultural events and field trips. More specifically, he is able to assist teachers in strengthening their cultural knowledge and offer guidance as they work to implement First Nations material into their curriculum.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 7452
The Aboriginal Education Assistant, Donna MacMillan, supplies administrative support for the District Principal and the Aboriginal Advocates.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 0
The District Aboriginal Language/Leadership Teacher, Tyler Ernst, provides district wide Okanagan language and leadership activities and instruction.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 8787
The Cultural Program Coordinators, Simone Gauthier, consults with Elementary, Middle and Secondary school staff to facilitate the integration of Aboriginal cultural material into their classes.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 0
The Cultural presenter, Amber Cardenas, does presentations both in and out of the classroom.
The Okanagan Language Presenter/Instructor, Marlene Squakin, is able to bring both culture and language to all levels of classes.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 8152
Aboriginal Student Advocates provide emotional, social, academic and cultural support to students. They work closely with families, teachers and other personnel to provide service for students.
Teachers within the program provide academic support to secondary students in all curricular areas in most secondary schools.
The School District No. 23 Aboriginal Education Program provides services to students of Aboriginal Ancestry to enhance their school experience. An Aboriginal student is someone who self identifies as being of Aboriginal Ancestry (First Nations, status and non-status, Inuit, and Métis). Only the student, parent or guardian can "self-identify," not Bands or district staff.
The Program includes:
- Academic advising, coaching, and support
- Career Planning
- Cultural teachings
- Goal Setting
- Personal and emotional support
- Nsyilxcen (Okanagan) Language
- Liaison with parents, guardians and community agencies
Aboriginal Student Advocates, as per School District No. 23 Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement, provide:
- Emotional, social, academic and behavioral support (K-12)
- Link between home and school
- Goal setting and career planning opportunities
- Home, community and school liaison
- Cultural connections
- Provide speakers and resources for classrooms
- Organize cultural events and field trips
- Coordinate presentations to parent groups and SD 23 staff
- Facilitate the integration of Aboriginal culture and history in all curriculum areas (K-12) by providing resources and support to teachers and Aboriginal Advocates from K-12.
- Provide Leadership Programs for Middle and Secondary Schools.
- provide academic support to middle and secondary students in all curriculum areas
- Facilitate the integration of the Okanagan Language into the classroom and assist in writing the Okanagan Language Curriculum
- Provide support and services to middle school students and families.
The Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Terry Beaudry, is responsible for the Aboriginal Education Program. She works closely with the Aboriginal Education Council and the District Principal - Aboriginal Education to implement the goals.
Contact: (250) 470-3225 ext. 6845
The District Principal Aboriginal Education, Joanne DeGuevara, coordinates and provides leadership to the Aboriginal Student Advocates, the Cultural Facilitator, and classroom teachers.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 6038
The District Aboriginal Consultant/Resource Teacher, Kevin Kaiser, provides assistance with district wide cultural events and field trips. More specifically, he is able to assist teachers in strengthening their cultural knowledge and offer guidance as they work to implement First Nations material into their curriculum.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 7452
The Aboriginal Education Assistant, Donna MacMillan, supplies administrative support for the District Principal and the Aboriginal Advocates.
Contact: (250) 870-5144 ext. 0
The District Aboriginal Language/Leadership Teacher, Tyler Ernst, provides district wide Okanagan language and leadership activities and instruction.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 8787
The Cultural Program Coordinators, Simone Gauthier, consults with Elementary, Middle and Secondary school staff to facilitate the integration of Aboriginal cultural material into their classes.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 0
The Cultural presenter, Amber Cardenas, does presentations both in and out of the classroom.
The Okanagan Language Presenter/Instructor, Marlene Squakin, is able to bring both culture and language to all levels of classes.
Contact: (250) 870-5147 ext. 8152
Aboriginal Student Advocates provide emotional, social, academic and cultural support to students. They work closely with families, teachers and other personnel to provide service for students.
Teachers within the program provide academic support to secondary students in all curricular areas in most secondary schools.