Aboriginal Education

Meeting the needs of Aboriginal learners

School District No. 42 lies within the traditional territory of the Katzie First Nation and the Kwantlen First Nation. The school district serves all Aboriginal students within the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows) was the third district in British Columbia to sign an Enhancement Agreement between the District, the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and the Ministry of Education in 2000. The second agreement was signed on January 25th, 2006 to be in effect from July 1st, 2005 to June 30th, 2010. The 2010 school year will mark the beginning of the third Enhancement Agreement. The purposes of this agreement are to:

• facilitate excellence and the success of all Aboriginal learners at all grade levels.
   
• promote the importance of cultural education in order to increase the academic and social success of Aboriginal students.
   
• meet the needs of Aboriginal learners by maintaining and expanding meaningful academic, trades and cultural programs where possible while providing the resources for success.
   
•  continue to build relationships in our schools that are welcoming and supportive of Aboriginal children, their families and the Aboriginal community.

This agreement is the result of ongoing engagement by members of the Aboriginal community and School District No. 42 since the second year of the second Enhancement Agreement via regular advisory meetings, band meetings, staff meetings, and district meetings along with extensive personal and electronic communication. Over this period of time the Aboriginal student population in District No. 42 has increased each year as has representation on the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to include Aboriginal students, more Aboriginal parents, and Aboriginal community agencies and networks. The current aboriginal student population of School District No. 42 is approximately 1015 students.

For more information about School District No. 42's Aboriginal Education program, download the pamphlet attached below.