We integrate Indigenous culture and perspectives into your child’s everyday learning
SelfDesign works to advance the journey towards truth and reconciliation by building cultural bridges to Indigenous ways of being, seeing and knowing throughout our educational programs and offerings.
Our efforts are driven by the recommendations put forward in 2017 by SelfDesign’s Indigenous education task force, which comprised an Indigenous elder, an Indigenous SelfDesign parent and learner, and SelfDesign educators with Indigenous heritage.
Our commitment to reconciliation
SelfDesign is part of a nationwide network of schools seeking further reconciliation. As part of our commitment to furthering reconciliation and intercultural understanding and respect, SelfDesign Learning Community became a member of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack foundation’s Legacy School network in 2019, joining a community of more than 1,600 legacy schools across Canada and linking to funding, educational resources and opportunities that advance reconciliation.
The Legacy School network is a national initiative that engages, empowers and connects students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education, connection, and action.
Our territorial acknowledgement
It is with gratitude that the SelfDesign community respectfully acknowledges the many traditional, ancestral, unceded and treaty territories that we learn and grow on throughout this diverse continent. We honor and thank the many Nations whose voices and footsteps have marked this territory for millenia in recognition of their continued stewardship of the land. We also look forward to many collaborations and meaningful exchanges to create a shared vision for the future.
How we support learners
- We integrate the First Peoples Principles of Learning into our work, programs and learning opportunities.
- We carefully curate authentic resources to help learners explore and understand Indigenous ways of being, seeing and knowing.
- We provide grants for Indigenous learners to connect with and learn about their cultures and languages.
- We offer learners opportunities to connect with Indigenous Elders, traditional knowledge keepers, Indigenous educators and each other.
“Our family acknowledges the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc) First Nation on which we are learning and living each day.”
– SelfDesign Parent
First Peoples Principles: A foundation for everyday learning and program design
We work to integrate the First Peoples Principles of Learning into every aspect of our work and educational programs. We use the principles as a starting point to help shape how we approach learning, support learners, develop curriculum, learning resources and opportunities, and communicate with learners, families and other community members.
Authentic resources
We work with Indigenous elders, traditional knowledge keepers and Indigenous educators, families and youth to identify and curate authentic learning resources that explore, draw upon and reflect the diverse and rich cultures and perspectives of Canada’s many Indigenous peoples. Our learners can access these resources through the SelfDesign Learning Experience Library, digital subscriptions, theme and group workshops and offerings, and at our events and camps.
Trained and
knowledgeable educators
We integrate the First Peoples Principles of Learning into orientation and training for all of our BC certified educators at the start of every learning year. Workshops, guest speakers and learning opportunities offered throughout the year help our educators deepen their understanding and awareness of these principles and the journey towards reconciliation.
Learning through connection and relationship
Our learners and families have access to learning opportunities, discussions and hands-on explorations through programs, themes, courses, and events. We recognize learning happens through relationships with others, and we work to offer opportunities throughout the year for learners to connect with Indigenous elders, traditional knowledge keepers and each other as they explore and grow their understanding of Indigenous ways of being and knowing.
Elder in residence
We welcomed Michael Harris as our elder in residence for the 2023/24 year. Michael belongs to the Gitxsan Nation, Gitanmaax Village, House of Wii Gaak, and Laxgibuu (Wolf Clan). His Spirit Name is Nagwa Yel Wa, which means He Who Walks Far, and he is a sought-after traditional healer, traditional pipe carrier, sweat lodge water pourer, ceremony leader and Sundancer! Learners, families, educators and contractors have many opportunities to make a meaningful connection with Michael throughout the year. Providing opportunities to connect with elders and knowledge keepers is one of the ways SelfDesign encourages engagement with Indigenous worldviews and perspectives.
“I acknowledge the traditional land of the Coast Salish people, specifically the S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and Kwantlen Nations, upon which I learn, love, work and live. I acknowledge my role as a settler here. I seek their guidance as to how I can work alongside them to be a better neighbour and steward of the land.”
– SelfDesign contractor
Opportunities
Cultural Learning Grants
Since 2017/2018, SelfDesign’s Cultural Learning Grants have helped more than 108 Indigenous learners connect more deeply with and learn more about their traditional cultures and languages.
Resources
We have resources for Indigenous families on our learning platform and provide learning resources with Indigenous content to all of our learners.
Funding and post-secondary education opportunities
We support our learners and families as they navigate grades 10 to 12 and prepare for life after grade 12, including providing information about post-secondary opportunities specific to Indigenous learners.
Gathering feedback
We use a survey to gather feedback from Indigenous families and also provide a safe space for them to share their insights, experiences, commentary and questions. They can also contact us by email, or attend Open Spaces to find us!
Our commitment to Indigenous education
Continuous learning; continuous improvement: An ongoing process at SelfDesign
SelfDesign’s Indigenous Education offerings continually evolve to further reconciliation and deepen our approach to First Peoples Principles of Learning Part [...]
Reconciliation, Indigenous education, and SelfDesign’s philosophy, values and approach
In recognition that reconciliation will be one of the most important challenges facing today’s learners in the years to come, SelfDesign® seeks to integrate Indigenous culture and perspectives into the everyday learning experience.
Indigenous learning opportunities at SelfDesign
The overall vision for reconciliation and learning at SelfDesign® is to integrate and weave Indigenous education and mainstream education seamlessly together so that learner, families, educators and contractors automatically consider both the Canadian Indigenous and the national or international perspectives, ways of knowing and being, and ways of approaching learning.