Indigenous Education

How Do I Self-Identify a Student as Indigenous?

Indigenous Education Self Identification Information

The London District Catholic School Board's goal of the voluntary, confidential, self-identification policy is to improve Indigenous student achievement. We will provide specific program planning, targeted initiatives and resource support to students. We will hope for the increased involvement of family and community in the life of the school. For more information please see our Indigenous Self-Identification link posted below.

Students who self-identify will automatically become part of the Grand Confederacy Council once they reach secondary school. This is a collection of all self-identified Indigenous students in our 9 secondary schools. Grand Confederacy Council members meet in their schools and a few times a year in the full group with members of all 9 secondary schools. We explore culture, post-secondary opportunities, and leadership experiences. Students will be gifted a purple hoodie with the Grand Confederacy Council's two row wampum logo upon entering secondary school. For many self-identified students, belonging to the Council has meant help in times of need, joy in times of celebration, and hope when hope is needed.

Land Acknowledgement for the LDCSB

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territory upon which we gather. For hundreds of years before we stand here today, the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat and Lenape Indigenous peoples have sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers to this territory and shared their knowledge for survival in what was at times a harsh climate. Today, we acknowledge our three local communities of Munsee-Delaware, Chippewas of the Thames and Oneida First Nations. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties, including Treaty 6, the London Township Treaty. The London District Catholic School Board seeks a new relationship with the Indigenous People of this land, a relationship with our neighbours based on honour and deep respect.

Key Documents

Our Mandates

Mandate 1

We are committed to the well being and success of Indigenous students within the London District Catholic School Board. We stand behind the Government of Ontario's commitment to Indigenous students in the province: "The Ministry of Education is committed to improving Indigenous education in Ontario, improving student achievement and well-being, and closing the achievement gap between Indigenous students and all students."

Students can self-identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit when they complete a "Student Registration Form" upon entry into the London District Catholic School Board or upon moving schools. If a student wishes to self-identify after they have already registered, their parent should simply contact the school at any time to change their registration status to First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. One-page documents explaining self-identification are available in all of the schools and they are linked above.

Mandate 2

We are committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 62 and 63. To cite the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in their Letter to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada: "For our part, through the participation of Catholic Bishops and faithful in the TRC process and from our ongoing relations with Indigenous Peoples, we have heard your invitation to engage honestly and courageously with the past, to acknowledge the failings of members of the Catholic Church, and to take active steps of solidarity with Indigenous Peoples towards a better future. To this, with the strong encouragement of Pope Francis, we pledge our commitment."

Mandate 3

Our Indigenous Education Advisor, Indigenous Student Success Worker, and Indigenous Lead are committed to bringing as many Indigenous voices and as much Indigenous wisdom into the classroom as possible. You will find Ray and Tyler and Dolores and other Indigenous knowledge keepers in classrooms all over the Board most days of the week during the school year.

Indigenous Education is committed to implementing the revised curriculum for Social Studies Grades 4, 5, and 6 and History Grades 7 and 8 and History Grade 10. Follow this link to see these curriculum documents. Through this new curriculum, the London District Catholic School Board aims to develop pride and awareness of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit history and cultures for all students in our system and increase everyone's understanding of the story of Indigenous people in Canada. In the summer of 2021, the K-3 curriculum was also revised and we look forward to helping teachers implement that new curriculum once it is published.

"Education is one of the keys to reconciliation, said [Chief Justice Murray] Sinclair, who likes the changes he has seen so far at elementary and high schools." -Carleton University Newsroom

Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is a national day of recognition in which all Canadians remember the tragedy of residential schools in Canada. You can find the story of how it all began at www.orangeshirtday.org.

In 2018, the Canadian Coalition of Catholic Bishops issued a letter explaining the commitment of our church to Reconciliation and Truth. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

"As Catholic Bishops of Canada, we see our relationship with Indigenous Peoples as a major pastoral priority. In recent years, we have seen many examples of healing and reconciliation and we are committed to building on these efforts, working in close partnership with one another and learning to walk together. We also wish to reflect on our relationships with you, some of which go back centuries, and our responsibilities to foster long-term constructive engagement. We look forward to a future where systemic injustices are meaningfully addressed, where we all discover new ways of living together through which the First Peoples of this land are honoured and respected."

Students within the LDCSB are asked to wear orange t-shirts to commemorate Orange Shirt Day during the week of September 30th. Teachers are also provided with a range of further, age-appropriate activities to do with their students to honour this important Canadian day.

Treaties Recognition Week

Treaties Recognition Week was celebrated during the first week in November. The London District Catholic School Board celebrates Treaties Recognition Week with various activities throughout our elementary and secondary schools. Students will hear and discuss the LDCSB's land acknowledgement, which can be found at the top of the page.

Every Ontarian can learn more about the treaties in their area by visiting this ontario.ca/treaties.

During this important week, we hold closely in our minds and hearts the three local First Nations:

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
Oneida Nation of the Thames
Munsee Delaware Nation.

International & Indigenous Languages Program