Department Staff
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Sakakibara | Director of Indigenous Education | (250) 549-9290 | csakakibara@sd22.bc.ca |
| Dave Lafontaine | District Principal of Indigenous Education | (250) 306-3668 | dlafontaine@sd22.bc.ca |
| Gwen Louis-Torres | Indigenous Education Department Secretary | (250) 549-9291 | glouistorres@sd22.bc.ca |
About
way'. Hello and welcome.
School District 22 (SD22) respectfully acknowledges that our district is situated on the ancestral, unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan people. We honour the language, culture, history and teachings of the syilx people that are deeply connected to these lands. SD22 also acknowledges the contributions of the Métis, Inuit, and other urban Indigenous partners that reside in this territory.
The SD22 Indigenous Education Program delivers culturally-appropriate enhanced programs and services to support the academic and personal success of students who self-identify as being of Indigenous ancestry. The term “Indigenous ancestry” embraces all First Nations, status and non-status, Métis and Inuit peoples. Please view this video to see the services and supports offered by the Indigenous Education department.
The Indigenous Education Department's services and supports is guided by the voices of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee (IEAC). The IEAC brings together representatives from the Okanagan Indian Band, Vernon & Métis Association, and North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society, as well as SD22 staff and trustees. The IEAC encompassed the values of consultation, communication, collaboration and consensus building to co-create the 2023-2028 SD22 kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement.
The four main goals of the 2023-2028 SD22 kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement are:
1.Deepen the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous and syilx peoples, including language, histories, continued traditions, and contemporary contexts for all students, staff, and community.
2. Improve opportunities and supports for Indigenous student engagement and achievement.
3. Support the sense of wellness, safety, belonging, pride and identity for all Indigenous students.
4. Welcome and value Indigenous voices in the district for strong relationships with Indigenous students, families, and communities.
The Indigenous Education program is also guided by our district's Local Education Agreement 2022-2027
which was co-created with the Okanagan Indian Band to meet the unique learning and cultural needs of OKIB nominal roll learners.
Additional guiding agreements that aim to support and foster Indigenous student success include:
- SD22 Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL)
- SD22 Equity Action Plan
Student Success
keyboard_arrow_downFramework for Enhancing Student Learning, 2023-2024
Improving the academic achievement of Indigenous learners:
- Provide targeted support for Indigenous students needing literacy intervention supports at the elementary level
- Provide targeted support for Indigenous students with complex barriers to attendance and achievement
- Implement interventions for tracking monitoring and supporting Indigenous secondary students to achieve needed graduation credits
- Develop and support high-quality enhanced learning and leadership opportunities for Indigenous learners
Increasing a sense of wellness, belonging and identity for Indigenous learners:
- Support Indigenous student identity and belonging through collaboration with Indigenous families and communities
- Celebrate Indigenous students’ achievements, strengths and cultural identity
- Support schools in developing a culturally responsive learning environment that values Indigenous peoples, cultures and ways of knowing
- Create opportunities for Indigenous students to engage in learning and wellness activities through Indigenous lens
SD22 kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement, 2023-2028
Goal #1: Deepen the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous and syilx peoples, including language, histories, continued traditions, and contemporary contexts for all students, staff, and community.
Goal #2: Improve opportunities and supports for Indigenous student engagement and achievement.
Goal #3: Support the sense of wellness, safety, belonging, pride and identity for all Indigenous students.
SD22 Equity Action Plan, 2021-2024
We believe:
- Personalized, culturally responsive learning that honours students voice and choice encourages the success of Indigenous learners.
- Personalized learning, timely supports, and culturally responsive interventions encourages the success of Indigenous learners
- Indigenous learners, families, and communities need to feel they belong and are valued in our classrooms, schools, and district.
Leadership Excellence
keyboard_arrow_downFramework for Enhancing Student Learning, 2023-2024
Improving the academic achievement of Indigenous learners:
- Develop and support high-quality enhanced learning and leadership opportunities for Indigenous learners
SD22 kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement, 2023-2028
Goal #4: Welcome and value Indigenous voices in the district for strong relationships with Indigenous students, families, and communities
SD22 Equity Action Plan, 2021-2024
We believe:
- All SD22 staff share a responsibility to understand Indigenous peoples, Indigenous ways of learning, and the TRC Calls to Action, and to integrate this knowledge into their professional practice.
- Decision-making at the classroom, school, and district levels must support equity and encourage a sense of welcome, belonging, and safety.
Community Connections
keyboard_arrow_downFramework for Enhancing Student Learning, 2023-2024
Strengthening relationships with Indigenous learners, families, and communities:
- Build formal and informal relationships with all Indigenous community partners and honouring the sovereignty and self-determination of syilx nation
- Support Indigenous learner success through engagement and collaboration with Indigenous students, families, and communities
SD22 kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement, 2023-2028
Goal #1: Deepen the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous and syilx peoples, including language, histories, continued traditions, and contemporary contexts for all students, staff, and community.
Goal #4: Welcome and value Indigenous voices in the district for strong relationships with Indigenous students, families, and communities.
SD22 Equity Action Plan, 2021-2024
We believe:
- Indigenous learners, families, and communities need to feel that they belong and are valued in our classrooms, schools, and district.
- Indigenous families should have opportunities for ongoing and timely communication about their child's learning and support in navigating the school system.