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Indigenous Rights and Education

What This Commitment Means

We’re advancing work that upholds Inherent and Indigenous Rights, addresses systemic barriers and deepens understanding and shared responsibility for Indigenous Rights, Treaty(s) knowledge and substantive reconciliation. This means strengthening education for all students and staff in Indigenous Rights, truths, responsibilities and reconciliation, amplifying and enhancing Indigenous voices.  Most importantly and without delay, the HDSB is intentionally working to remove barriers to support student success and the achievement for Indigenous students.

Highlights from 2025-2026

  • Expanded professional learning opportunities to build educator capacity in supporting the delivery of curriculum from an Indigenous Rights-based approach and by using a Reconciliation framework.
  • Newly developed credit bearing courses and summer school credit course offered for Indigenous students to address disproportionalities in Indigenous student achievement and experience.
  • Held multiple community engagement events to strengthen and build relationships and to promote a sense of belonging.
  • Ongoing responsive support for post-secondary planning, transitions, credit accumulation and academic achievement and well-being.
  • Continued alignment with the initiative of Indigenous Education Planning, set out by the Indigenous Education Office and the Ministry of Education, through relationships with Inherent Rights holders and the HDSB Indigenous Education Council, to guide system direction for Indigenous education.
  • International Indigenous Rights Advocate Autumn Peltier shares knowledge and inspiration with HDSB students and staff
  • HDSB students take part in salmon restoration project

By The Numbers

Respond to the needs of Indigenous learners and their families

  • Student and Family Support: Responded to a high volume of family and staff inquiries and facilitated direct connections between Indigenous staff and students, supporting academic, social-emotional, attendance and fundamental needs.
  • Student Retention and Re-engagement: Conducted targeted attendance outreach, supported students in remaining enrolled, re-engaged  students following periods of non-attendance and provided transition support to students experiencing housing, foster care or other support-related changes.
  • Academic Achievement and Pathways: Supported Grade 12 students at risk of credit loss, assisted students with IEP-related supports and facilitated credit accumulation, credit recovery and pathways to post-secondary education and skilled trades.

Outreach to Communities Representing the Diversity of Nations within the HDSB

  • Organizational Outreach and Partnerships: Sustained engagement with more than 70 local, regional, provincial and national Indigenous organizations. Specialized consultations with Saugeen First Nation regarding Zaag’idiwin law, Aura Freedom, and First Nation representatives supported work related to student safety and well-being.
  • Student Engagement and Experiential Learning: Hosted or participated in several student engagement events involving many students and delivered  experiential learning opportunities for  students. These experiences supported cultural connection and recognition of the diversity of Indigenous Nations represented within the HDSB.
  • Indigenous Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: Connected with a broad range of Indigenous professionals, Knowledge Holders, artists, authors, environmental specialists, skilled trades professionals, educators and community leaders to inform learning opportunities and strengthen culturally responsive supports.
  • Family and Community Engagement: Continued outreach through community events, including Calling All Three-Year-Olds, the HDSB Open House and SAVIS initiatives focused on reducing gender-based violence.

What’s Next

In alignment with Ministry of Education and the Indigenous Education Office initiatives of Supporting Students, Supporting Educators, Engagement and Building Awareness and Indigenous Education Planning, and with the guidance of the Indigenous Education Council and Inherent Rights Holders, the following actions will continue to be a focus moving forward:

  • The use of qualitative and quantitative data will continue to inform programming and system learning that is required to address systemic barriers to Indigenous student achievement.
  • System and school-level support for Indigenous education planning will continue through professional development opportunities, shared resources, and co-planning and co-teaching opportunities.
  • Enhanced cross-departmental collaborations to build system capacity to address the disproportionate outcomes for Indigenous student achievement and well-being.
  • Indigenous students and families will be supported by community engagements hosted by the HDSB, as well as experiential opportunities for students.
  • A respectful and ethical relationship with Inherent Rights holders and the HDSB Indigenous Education Council will continue to be a focus to support student achievement and advance student and staff knowledge related to Indigenous education from a Rights-based approach.

2025-2026 CEO’s Annual Report Sections

Six Commitments to Student Success