Acknowledgments

The College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) would like to acknowledge the Alberta Teachers Association’s Indigenous Advisory Circle; the CASS Digital Resource Advisory Team; the CASS First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Action Committee; Rupertsland Institute; and all Indigenous advisors for valuable feedback and their generous guidance in developing the Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta. As well, we would like to thank Crystal Clark, Elizabeth Gouthro, Billy-Jo Grant, and Eileen Marthiensen for added contributions and edits to the 2022 updated version. It is necessary to listen, learn, make connections, space and maintain relationships with Indigenous Peoples to support our learning and to be leaders in reconciliation within our educational communities.

We would also like to acknowledge the superintendents, educators, and students who contributed their perspectives to the video conversations. We are grateful to Alberta Education and all other organizations, communities, and individuals who have and are continuing to create accessible resources and opportunities for our members to further deepen their foundational knowledge and opportunities for relationship building with Indigenous Peoples.

This Guide was launched in 2019 with recent updates and revisions completed in 2022. The development of this Guide was made possible through a grant from Alberta Education. During 2021 -2022 the Guide was reviewed and updated in response to members feedback to better meet their learning needs , to include new and upgraded resources and current events. A French translation of the Guide was also made available to increase access for our Francophone members .

“CASS is appreciative of receiving feedback on Guide , its usefulness to your learning , recommendations etc. or if you have any questions.” Please send to admin@cass.ab.ca

ATA Indigenous Advisory

Doreen Bergman – Métis

Phillip Campiou – Nehiyawak (Cree) – Treaty 8

Mary Cardinal-Collins – Nehiyawak (Cree)
– Treaty 6

Bruce Cutknife – Nehiyawak (Cree) – Treaty 6

Goota Desmarais – Inuk

Blair First Rider – Kainai (Blackfoot) – Treaty 7

Christina Fox – Kainai (Blackfoot) –
Treaty 7

Irene Loutitt – Métis

Bill Sewepagaham Nehiyawak (Cree) – Treaty 8

Buddy Wesley – Stoney Nakoda – Treaty 7

CASS Digital Resource Guide Developers

Crystal Clark – Cree/Dene/Métis–

Educator, Consultant, Writer, Graphics & Web

Elizabeth Gouthro

Elizabeth Gouthro – Director, Leadership and Learning- First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education

College of Alberta School Superintendents

Rhonda Kronyk – Métis – Editor

Billy-Jo Grant – Métis –

Associate Director, Métis Education and Lifelong Learning, Rupertsland Institute Education

Eileen Marthiensen – Inuk –

Educator, Consultant

Shannon Loutitt – Métis –

Educator, Consultant, Writer

Christopher White

Christopher White – Métis

Promethean Heritage and Cultural Services

Jordan McIver – Website Developer

Superintendents, Educators, and Students

Phil Butterfield – Principal, Connect Charter School

Cassidy Chalifoux – Student, Driftpile First Nation

Lisa Cruickshank – Associate Director of Education, Rupertsland Institute Education

Elmer Ghostkeeper – Métis Settlements General Council

Billy-Jo Grant – Associate Director, Métis Education and Lifelong Learning, Rupertsland Institute Education

Sarah Heimbecker – Principal, TsuuT’ina Middle School

Andrea Holowka – Superintendent, Calgary Catholic School District

Angela Houle – First Nations, Métis, Inuit Team, Calgary Catholic School District

Mark Liguori – Superintendent, Elk Island Public Schools

Jayson Lovell – Superintendent, Wolf Creek School Division

Eileen Marthiensen – Inuit Education Consultant

Patricia McCallum – First Nations, Métis, Inuit Team, Calgary Catholic School District

George McGuigan – Superintendent, Fort McMurray Catholic School Division

Dr. Yvonne Poitras Pratt – Alberta Métis Education Council, Rupertsland Institute Education

Laura Poloz – Superintendent, High Prairie School Division

Ashley Ruben – First Nations, Métis, Inuit Team, Calgary Catholic School District

Chris Smeaton – Superintendent, Holy Spirit Catholic Schools

Pam Sparkling Eyes – Program Manager, Edmonton Catholic School Board

Georgia Willier – Student, Driftpile First Nation

CASS Digital Resource Guide Advisory Group

Crystal Clark – Education Consultant

Cheryl Devin – Consultant, Elk Island Public Schools

Elizabeth Gouthro – Director, College of Alberta School Superintendents

Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty – Education Coach, Evergreen Catholic Separate School Division

Sharon Morin – Elder, Musée Héritage

Melissa Purcell – Executive Staff Officer, Alberta Teachers Association

Dr. Noella Steinhauer – Assistant Professor, University of Alberta

CASS First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Action Committee 2021- 2022

Chair – Elizabeth Gouthro, CASS Leadership Consultant

CASS Representatives:

David Keohane – CASS Executive Director

Claudine Cortes – CASS Executive Assistant

Alberta Education Representatives:

Nicole Callihoo – Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations Métis and Inuit Directorate

Lori Bell – Executive Director, First Nations Métis Inuit Directorate

Ron Taylor – Director, First Nation, Métis and Inuit Services Branch

Treaty Representatives:

Brian Wildcat – Superintendent Maskwacis Education Schools Commission (Treaty 6)

Genevieve Fox – Director of Education, Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council (Treaty 7)

Chester Auger – Director, Bigstone Cree Nation Education (Treaty 8)

Métis Representatives:

Dianne Desjarlais – Director, Métis Settlements Strategic Training Initiatives Society & Regional Coordinator for Indigenous Early Learning Childcare, Alberta Métis Settlements General Council

Lisa Cruickshank – Director, Métis Education and Lifelong Learning, Rupertsland Institute, Métis Education Council

Zone Representatives:

Laura Poloz – Superintendent, High Prairie School Division (Zone 1)

George McGuigan – Superintendent, Fort McMurray Catholic School (Zone2/3)

Selena Frizzley – Coordinator of Indigenous Education Services, Red Deer Catholic Schools (Zone 4)

Lori Pritchard – Director, Calgary Board of Education (Zone 5)

Robbie Charlebois – Associate Superintendent of Human Services, Horizon School District (Zone 6)

Francophone:

Brigitte Kropielnicki – Directrice générale / Superintendent of Schools, Conseil scolaire du Nord-ouest

Alternate representative – Dolorèse Nolette – Directrice générale | Superintendent Conseil scolaire Centre-Est

Association of Independent Schools & Colleges in Alberta:

John Jagersma – Executive Director

CASS First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Action Committee – 2019

CASS Representatives:

Elizabeth Gouthro – CASS Director of Leadership Learning

Barry Litun – CASS Executive Director

Charlene Bearhead – Consultant

Claudine Cortes – CASS Executive Assistant

Treaty Representatives:

Jerry Saddleback – Education Policy Analyst, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations (Treaty 6)

Valerie McDougall – Director, Tsuut’ina Nation Department of Education (Treaty 7)

Dr. Genevieve A. Fox – Director of Education, Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council (Treaty 7)

Chester Auger – Director, Bigstone Cree Nation Education (Treaty 8)

Métis Representatives:

Dianne Desjarlais – Director, Alberta Métis Settlements General Council

Lisa Cruickshank – Assistant Director, Rupertsland Institute, Métis Education Council

Alberta Education Representatives:

Nicole Callihoo – Assistant Deputy Minister

Ronald Taylor – Director, First Nation, Métis and Inuit Services Branch

Francophone Representatives:

Brigette Kropieinicki – Directrice Générale/Superintendent of Schools, Conseil scolaire du Nord-ouest

Zone Representatives: