REGINA – The Horizon School Division Board of Education has received the 2021 Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education for the submission of “the Horizon School Division George Gordon First Nation Mîkiwahp (Tipi) Project”.
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) co-ordinates the Premier’s Award each year. The award was presented on behalf of Premier Scott Moe during the SSBA’s virtual Annual General Assembly on Tuesday.
“It is so important that all students feel welcome and represented in their schools and communities,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Through projects like the Mîkiwahp (Tipi) Project, students can connect with culture through education. Everyone at George Gordon First Nation and Horizon School Division should be very pleased with this wonderful achievement.”
In its application for the award, Horizon said the George Gordon First Nation Mîkiwahp (Tipi) Project is intended to develop culturally appropriate curricula and an instructional model to continually inform schools, teachers and the division in the implementation of high-quality, responsive instruction for Indigenous students. The culmination of the project will be the creation of an outdoor classroom (Mîkiwahp structure) that will continue to serve as a space for ongoing land-based learning, ceremony and celebrations. The model of planning and instruction will be adopted as the exemplar for Indigenous education in this community and other similar communities in Horizon.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are humbled and honoured to receive the Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education,” said Jim Hack, Horizon School Division Board Chair. “We recognize that other school divisions and Indigenous authorities are doing excellent work, and that Saskatchewan’s students are in great hands. We would like to thank our staff for their outstanding commitment to our Board’s renewed focus on educating through Truth to ensure a future of Reconciliation.”
The $3,000 award has been sponsored by Xerox Canada since its development in 1999. The award recipient is recommended by a panel of education sector partners. Xerox is pleased to continue the long-standing partnership with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association through the sponsorship of the Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education.
“At Xerox, we are always innovating to drive change,” said Steve Bandrowczak, Chief Operations Officer. “Change is faster today than it ever was, and slower than it ever will be. This mentality fuels us to always look ahead, to see what’s next. We are honoured to do our part in encouraging our youth in this award, focusing on Innovation and Excellence.”
To view a video about the award recipients, please visit: https://youtu.be/7VPPVx84Rgk
At its assembly, the SSBA also recognized former SSBA Executive members Martin Prince and Aleana Young with life memberships. The SSBA’s Degree Program Scholarship was also presented, to Queen Esther M. Lamanilao.