A new agreement is aiming to ensure stronger Metis education in Saskatoon’s public schools.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this morning by the Saskatoon Public Schools and the Central Metis Urban Federation.
The goal of the MOU will be to bring Metis history and teachings to all students in the school division.
CUMFI President, Shirley Isbister, says the two organizations have been working to strengthen Metis education for over a decade now, but she says this new agreement establishes a formal foundation moving forward.
“The signing of this MOU with the public school board will ensure that Metis culture and history will continue to be taught in the public school system,” said Isbister. “We want our children to have a strong sense of pride in their culture while having a meaningful learning experience where they will be able to learn, grow and connect in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Several outcomes were laid out in the MOU. They include education supporting self-determination, support Metis students and all students in identity development, increased attendance and graduation rates and increased knowledge of Metis history.
Moving into the future, Isbister hopes to see Metis culture and history as an addition to the school curriculum in the division.
“There are some very talented Metis teachers in the public school system, and they are more than capable of writing that curriculum,” she said.
There are 49 elementary schools and 10 high schools in the Saskatoon Public School Division.
(PHOTO: CUMFI President Shirley Isbister and Ray Morrison, board chair for Saskatoon Public Schools. Photo by Joel Willick.)