Rural School PresentationKERRI LEVELTON AND IRENE LAPIERRE

Rural School Presentation

We would like to begin by acknowledging that we are on the traditional lands, referred to as Treaty 6 Territory.

❑Welcome

❑ Introductions from Irene and Kerri

City of Prince Rupert• Prince Rupert is a port city situated on Kaien Island, just north of the mouth of the Skeena River, which lies at the heart of the traditional territory of the Ts’msyen First Nation.

• It is the transportation hub of BC’s north coast through land, air and water, and has a population of approximately 13,000. The city enjoys a mild oceanic climate and is located in a temperate rainforest.

• Fairview Terminals – deep sea facility

• Coal and Grain terminals on Ridley Island

• Alaska and BC Ferries Terminals

• Tourism includes Cruise Ships, Charter Fishing

Photo From: The Northern View

This is the Ts’msyen territory which is bordered by the neighbouring nations of the Gitxsan, Nisga’a, Haida, Haisla, Wet’suwet’en, and Heiltsuk people.

Ts’msyen History and Presence

•With a population that is over half First Nations, Prince Rupert is located in the traditional territory of the Ts’msyen.

•The local First Nations’ adaawx (history), indicates that the North Coast of British Columbia has been inhabited by their peoples for over 10,000 years.

•The Ts’msyen took up seasonal residences throughout the territory according to resource harvesting and trade cycles.

•The people of the coast relied heavily on salmon, shellfish, eulachon, seaweed and many of the other diverse marine species of the area, a diet complimented by the harvest of berries and other inland resources.

The All-Native Basketball tournament, local artists and carvers, whose works are displayed at the local galleries and shops, the First Nations presence is an indicator of the deep cultural and historical context of our area.

School District No. 52 Prince RupertSchool District 52 includes the communities of Port Edward, Metlakatlaand Hartley Bay (the Gitga’at First Nation), as well as Prince Rupert.

The Prince Rupert School District offers K–12 education programs with 1955 students and 64% Aboriginal population.◦ 5 elementary school K-5◦ 1 middle school 6-8◦ 1 secondary school 9-12◦ 1 Alternate Secondary School 9-12◦ 1 Village School

School District No. 52 Prince RupertAboriginal Education◦Aboriginal Education Partnership Agreement

◦Local Education Agreements with Hartley Bay and Metlakatla

◦Sm’algyax language K—12 in our schools

◦A leader in Aboriginal Education programming across the province

Wap SigatgyetAboriginal Education SD52House of Building Strength

School District No. 52 Prince RupertCommunity Engagement◦Partnerships with local business – Coastal Pathways Agreement (funding for equipment)

◦Community support – bursaries, scholarships and extra curricular fundraising

◦Extra funding – playgrounds, music studio, TRC implementation, and rugby equipment

School District No. 52 Prince RupertChallenges and Areas of Focus◦ Budget – Ministry provides funding protection

◦ Education:

◦ Declining enrolment

◦ Graduation rates below Provincial average

◦ Focus on closing the gap between Aboriginal and other students’ success.

◦ Aging facilities

◦ Location

◦ Remote location

◦ Cost of travel for curricular and extracurricular activities

◦ Recruitment and Retention

Port Edward, British Columbia

Port Edward Industry:By the mid-1800s salmon canneries dotted the coastlines, but most closed in the late 1960’s

Historical Perspective

Port Edward School – Closed 2012

Port Edward Elementary School Reopens

Then and now…..

The new Port Edward Elementary School is a source of community pride. The new school was recently constructed and was opened in 2013. The new elementary school forms part of a new community complex which includes a library, a community hall, Council chambers and the municipal offices. The school motto “Unity of the Clans through the Children” exemplifies the importance of this facility within the community.

Cooking

Drumming

Dancing

Field Trip – Up the Skeena to See the Oolichan Run

Salmon Dissection

Fire Department Visits

Challenges / BenefitsChallenges :• Attendance (peer and grade groupings)

• Location

Benefits :• Industry support

• Technology closing the gaps

• Creating Buddy Schools

Unique Rural Village School

Hartley Bay Village

Remote Location – access via air or sea

Rural School Presentation

❑Questions?

❑Comments?