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 students and staff in Indigenous Rights, truths, responsibilities and reconciliation, amplifying and enhancing Indigenous voices and working intentionally to remove barriers to support student success and the achievement of Indigenous students.
Highlights from 2024-2025
- Expanded learning opportunities about Indigenous histories, contemporary realities and the impacts of colonialism across schools.
- Provided academic, transition, social-emotional and enrichment support for Indigenous students.
- Strengthened professional learning in culturally responsive practice across departments.
- Continued working in partnership with Indigenous communities to guide direction and decisions.
- Aldershot School Student Named 2025 Loran Scholar: Charlotte Bolduc Honoured for Character, Service and Leadership
- Autumn Peltier visits multiple HDSB schools
- Director’s Panel: Indigenous Rights and Education - A Shared Responsibility (May 26, 2025) full session
By The Numbers
Disproportionality (2020–2021 baseline)
- Twice as likely to be below standard in elementary math (DI = 2.03).
- Over-represented in suspensions (DI = 2.22).
- More likely to have low ratings of positive school climate (DI = 1.24).
- Over-representation in both Grade 9 and Grade 9–12 credit accumulation concerns.
Learning about Indigenous Peoples (2024-2025)
Elementary
- Learning about colonialism increased to 79% (benchmark 69%).
- Learning about history/contributions rose to 94 % (benchmark 85%).
- Learning about achievements dropped to 56% (benchmark 67%).
Secondary
- Learning about colonialism increased to 76% (benchmark 67%).
- Learning about history/contributions rose to 89 % (benchmark 80%).
- Learning about achievements dropped to 51% (benchmark 59%).
What’s Next
- Report updated disproportionality data using 2024-2025 results (Spring 2026).
- Increase representation and learning about Indigenous achievements specifically.
- Strengthen targeted support for Indigenous students across academics, climate and discipline.
- Continue building partnerships with Indigenous communities to ensure shared responsibility and authentic guidance.
2024-2025 Director’s Annual Report Sections
Six Commitments to Student Success
