The SSBA offers Indigenous Education Services, in support of its strategic plan and the Indigenous Constituency. The Indigenous Constituency consists of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit school board members in Saskatchewan. The Indigenous Constituency elects one member to act as the Indigenous Constituency Representative on the SSBA Provincial Executive.
The SSBA has also engaged and supported Indigenous voice in the Association through the formation of a Council since at least 1990. The SSBA Indigenous Council provides a forum to engage Indigenous school board members and others in providing strategic advice to the SSBA Executive, and in particular the SSBA Indigenous Constituency representative, on matters regarding Indigenous Education and other relevant matters related to Indigenous Education. The Indigenous Council consists of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit school board members, and welcomes all school board members interested in the Indigenous Council’s work. The Indigenous Council may also include other interested and relevant partners.
SSBA Indigenous Education Services include:
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- Supporting the Indigenous Council in advancing initiatives, projects, and programs
- Advancing the Association’s Strategic Plan as it pertains to Indigenous Education priorities
- Information and research
Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework
To support and mobilize the Ministry of Education’s Inspiring Success Policy Framework, and to respond to Boards of Education requesting a resource to support at all levels, strategic improvement planning in Indigenous Education, the SSBA created the Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework (IERF). The IERF is a self-assessment/reflection tool to support school divisions to evaluate, plan and report their Indigenous Education activities. The framework is also a tool to support governance and assist boards in strategic planning. The IERF aims to support school divisions in their continuous efforts to establish effective First Nations and Métis education plans and assess their effectiveness. School divisions can contact the Strategic Advisor in Indigenous Education to further support implementation.
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework – English
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework – French
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework Qs and As
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework Fillable Rubric
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework Process Guide
- Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework Sample Template
Background Of Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework
In 2015, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its report with 94 Calls to Action, some with specific reference to Education. In 2018, the Ministry of Education renewed and released the Inspiring Success policy framework. The framework places Indigenous knowledge systems, cultures and languages within the structures, policies and curricula to ensure an equitable and inclusive system benefits all Saskatchewan learners. In 2019, the SSBA Indigenous Constituency met with the Minister of Education to discuss the creation of a responsibility framework for Indigenous Education. In May 2019, the SSBA Executive approved the creation of a Working Advisory Group to address this task and the SSBA contracted Dr. Scott Tunison from the University of Saskatchewan to create the document. A Pipe Ceremony was held in September 2022 to celebrate the framework and launch to the sector.
Memorandums of Understanding
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Reconciliation through Treaty education:
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on “strengthening our commitment for success of Saskatchewan Métis Students”.
Reconciliation in Saskatchewan Education
The SSBA believes that by moving together through education and toward reconciliation, we start to envision a Canada where the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians is founded on mutual respect. The SSBA supports the Calls to Action in the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
- TRC Reports
- Supporting Reconciliation in Saskatchewan Schools (Ministry of Education resource)
- Apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools
- Office of the Treaty Commissioner
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education
Treaty Territory Acknowledgement — Suggested Guidelines
Why do we acknowledge Treaty territory and the Métis homeland? By acknowledging this we are paying our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirming our relationship with one another.
- Creating a Land Acknowledgement (University of Saskatchewan)
- Treaty 4 Territory (Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Maple Creek, Yorkton, Melville)
- Treaty 6 Territory (Saskatoon, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Lloydminster, Meadow Lake)
- Virtual Land Acknowledgement
Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day is officially recognized in Saskatchewan on Sept. 30.
Orange Shirt Day is recognized on Sept. 30 each year and is part of a larger movement in the country to provide opportunity for First Nations, governments, schools and communities to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. In 2021, Canada proclaimed Sept. 30 also as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and a federal statutory holiday.
At the SSBA Spring General Assembly in 2016, members passed a resolution to request that the Government of Saskatchewan officially recognize Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30. That marked the first year that Orange Shirt Day was officially recognized in the province.
For more information, please contact:
Phone: 306-569-0750
Ted Amendt, PhD
Director, Board Development and Indigenous Education (ext. 141)
Felice McKay
Strategic Advisor in Indigenous Education (ext. 119)