Aboriginal Learning Services

Aboriginal Learning Services continues to assist District schools to be responsive to the needs of Aboriginal students. Aboriginal Learning Services has taken a leadership role in Alberta in the development of "Promising Practices" in urban Aboriginal education in integrated settings. With its wide variety of programming and creative partnerships, our staff has been able to provide Aboriginal students within Edmonton Catholic Schools with an increasingly culturally relevant education.

Aboriginal Learning offers…

Students

• Proactive strategies for creating positive and successful school experiences
• Culturally relevant counseling and support
• Support for transitions
• Career exploration opportunities culturally appropriate in class sessions
• Connections to elders
• Culturally appropriate in-class sessions

Families

• Strategies for helping their children to succeed
• Support for building positive relationships with teachers and the school community
• Aboriginal elder assisted mediation processes between families and schools
• Counseling that is culturally relevant
• Connections to elders

Teachers and Support Staff

• Practical strategies and materials for building Aboriginal perspectives into the curriculum
• Strategies for teaching Aboriginal learners
• Approaches for working with Aboriginal families
• Connections to elders, cultural instructors, and other resource people for the classroom visits and programs

Administration

• Strategies to support the success of Aboriginal students
• Professional development for staff
• Strategies for encouraging parent participation
• Assistance with mediation process for students at risk
• Assistance with FNMI program goals
• Providing insights and awareness on values and norms in the urban communities