Aboriginal choice school concept is growing.

Although the idea is not new for provinces like Alberta and Manitoba, British Columbia is now maneuvering through uncharted territory with the Aboriginal choice school concept. Meetings have been recently taking place and early reports indicate that the future looks cautious but bright.

Charlotte Henay, School District 57's principal of aboriginal education said that they would draw on the experience of Edmonton's Amiswaciy Academy, Winnipeg's Niji Mahkwa school, and even study other best practices from other countries as far as New Zealand.

"There's a lot of misconceptions about what an Aboriginal choice school is. There hasn't been an Aboriginal choice school in B.C. so people don't have a large pool of experience or knowledge of Aboriginal choice schools to draw on," said Henay.

One surefire fact is that Aboriginal students in the mainstream education system do not possess a very flattering track record.

"The Ab Ed (Aboriginal Education) board his initiated a best practice to respond to the failure of the system to meet the needs of Aboriginal kids," said Henay.

It is believed that the addition of Elders in the classroom could help students feel more at ease in their environment.

"The involvement of Elders intricately on a daily basis to speak to experiences that are unique to our community--the Indian residential school experience. To speak to traditional teachings," said Henay, adding that a cultural advisor could be in the cards as well.

Henay added that they would deliver content that has an Indigenous framework and an Aboriginal perspective.

"Story work would be an integral part of the way we would teach. We would be looking at Aboriginal learning styles, (such as) experiential. We'd be looking at maybe restorative justice as a framework for discipline practice," Henay explained.

And it's not just the material or the style that will be shaped, as even the teachers will be carefully selected.

"We're looking for more representation, so we're looking for more Aboriginal staff members. What we want is the best for our kids. So definitely there would be a screening process and there would be an inherent understanding, if not a written agreement, that staff would have to participate in professional development and activities that are going to drive culturally responsive teaching," said Henay, adding that there is a difference between culturally appropriate and culturally responsive teaching.

Henay noted that although the concept is only in the discussion phase now, it is a matter of when and where, and not what if.

However those what if's brought up during the meetings still put forth pressing concerns and serious challenges.

Some questioned if an Aboriginal choice school meant that non-Aboriginals would be on the outside looking in.

"It wouldn't be exclusively for Aboriginal students," said Henay. "It's about honoring all children and having Aboriginal children and non-Aboriginal children learn from each other as well."

Henay addressed that an all-Aboriginal school would be a concept that walked a little too close to residential schools for some people's comfort.

Other concerns were things like transportation for those kids that would love to go but have no way to get there, and they live outside the school catchment area.

Henay also noted that image and stigma are issues that need to be looked at as well.

"There is still a lot of stigma in mainstream Canadian society and within this community that's linked to being Aboriginal. There's a concern with how you identify yourself. We have staff members, teachers, administrators who don't identify. There's concern about kids being further stigmatized by participating in an Aboriginal choice school," Henay expressed.

Even the proper school choice is up for debate. There are four inner city schools that have made the short list and need to be refurbished.

"There's a concern about having an environment that's going to reflect our values. So in terms of resources how much is the district going to put towards capital infrastructure."

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is not only making the school a success story, but also determining how success is measured.

"I think we have to be very careful with that because the perception is already that 'oh well it's an Aboriginal choice school therefore the standards must be different.' What we're saying is that we want education to be tailored to the needs of our kids, "said Henay, adding that the Aboriginal community wants their kids to graduate from high school and have life choices.

"We have to have a discussion about what success is and what it looks like in our community before we can talk about how we're going to measure it."

As for funding, Henay said that it will be funded just like every other school in the district but added that they may need more.

"The needs may exceed those of other schools because we're setting up a new concept. So to meet those we're going to have to look for additional sources of funding within the district and without."

A decision on where the school will be located, among other items, is expected to be made by the school board trustees at the end of January.

Thomas J Bruner

Windspeaker Staff Writer

Prince George