We will achieve equity of outcomes for Indigenous learners in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. We will continue to examine our environments, structures, and practices to identify and address barriers. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships with First Nation communities as rightsholders and collaborate with community partners who support Indigenous children and youth and their families. We will embed learning about Indigenous culture, perspectives, and language in the daily experience of learners in our schools. Some examples of the work of our plan are:
- District-wide staff learning about Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous culture, Circle of Courage and trauma-informed practice
- Planned school-wide culture learning aligned with calendar of local cultural seasonal activities
- Visible language and culture across schools (Knowledge keepers in schools, ceremony, welcome signage, elders posters)
- Review of school libraries and resource collections and additional funding for Authentic First Peoples Resources
- Recognizing cultural learning in community with graduation program credits (local Independent Directed Study framework)
- Meaningful engagement of schools and district in Local Education Agreements (LEA)
- Re-engagement with Equity in Action
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER for equity for Indigenous students and learning about local Indigenous culture for all students and staff:
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Columneetza Junior Secondary
National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), celebrated annually on June 21 in Canada, honours the cultures, contributions, and histories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Medicine Trail
Columneetza Junior Secondary
The medicine trail walk is a guided outdoor experience where participants learn about medicinal plants, their uses, and their cultural significance. It connects people to the land, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous teachings about health and wellness.
Learning on the Land
Columneetza Junior Secondary
The Farwell Canyon land trip is a full-day experience on the land with Peyal Laceese, exploring petroglyphs, listening to traditional stories, and visiting the sand dunes.
Grade 7/8/9 Esk'et Sweat Field Trip
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Ms. Billyboy and Ms. McCartney took a full bus of grade 7/8/9 students on an annually held Esk’et Sweat Field Trip. Our students learned so much and had a wonderful day on the land and in community with local knowledge keepers. Thank you team!
Leading by Example
Columneetza Junior Secondary
We are grateful for our Indigenous support workers: Kat, Jordy, and George; who work tirelessly to support all of our students. Through their strong relationships and commitment to Indigenous pedagogy and teachings, they create meaningful opportunities for students to feel connected, engaged, and
Kenthen Thomas Storytelling Tour
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Grade 7 students at Columneetza were the grateful recipients of a storytelling presentation by touring Secwepemc storyteller Kenthen Thomas. Thomas visited with students for two sessions and introduced students to his mother Phyllis who joined us for the morning.
Columneetza Community Recognize the Moose Hide Campaign
Columneetza Junior Secondary
The Moose Hide Campaign began as a BC-born, Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and children. It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities, First Nations, governments, schools,
More Lahal Learning
Columneetza Junior Secondary
More from Lahal learning.
Touring TRU
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Students in Ms. Haines and Ms. Arnousse’s language classes recently enjoyed touring TRU, our local campus.
Learning Lahal
Columneetza Junior Secondary
This month we welcomed members of the WLFN Cultural Team to teach our students Lahal. Our students and teachers loved these sessions. Thanks Val and team!
CJS Celebrates Language Teachers
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Columneetza school community feels gratitude and appreciation for our Indigenous languages teachers. Charlotte Haines teaches Tŝilhqotʼin (Chilcotin) language to grades 7-12 students.
Ribbon Skirts and Shirts
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Columneetza Teachers Kaylee Billyboy and Bal Uppal spent lunch hours throughout the month of January supporting students with construction and repair on ribbon skirt and shirts in preparation for the school pow wow. Thank you for supporting and teaching our students!
Thomas Dueck Pow Wow
Columneetza Junior Secondary
What an amazing day at the Thomas Dueck Pow Wow at Columneetza Junior Secondary School! The primary goals for this event are to elevate awareness and respect for Indigenous cultural activities, empower First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and cultivate positive self-worth.
Lahal with Bruce
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Thank you Bruce Baptiste for recently visiting and teaching and playing Lahal with our students. We already look forward to next time!
Model Behaviour - Tea with Role Models
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Recently our SD27 First Nations Role Models Michaellaine and Terrance visited Columneetza to enjoy tea with our students. They shared about the program and connected with our school community. Thank you!
Joel West Visits Columneetza
Columneetza Junior Secondary
During Truth and Reconciliation week, Columneetza students and staff gathered for a whole school presentation from singer and storyteller Joel West. Joel traveled from Burns Lake and touched many hearts in the crowd, sharing his story and personal upbringing.
Learning Opportunities During Truth and Reconciliation Week
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Thank you to the indigenous culture team led by Ms. Billyboy and supported by fellow staff for providing learning opportunities throughout the week such as an invitation to smudge, making tea, medicine bags, orange shirt pins, and more. It was heartwarming to see students try something new!
Indigenous Day of Learning
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Columneetza and LCS were hosted by WLFN to spend the first day of learning together. We shared lunch, chose our learning (melamen, lahal and drumming, powwow, treaty and self-governance, sweat, bannock, rattle making, and touring St.Joseph's Mission) and ended with brushing off.
Starting In a Good Way
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Staff members Kaylee, Rick and Shannon welcomed students back to school after summer break with a drumming in and invitation to smudge.
Powwow 2025 at Columneetza
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Students from 100 Mile Elementary attended the powwow in Williams Lake hosted by Columneetza Junior Secondary. Students experienced firsthand a rich cultural experience of drumming and dancing.
Truth and Reconciliation Week at Columneetza
Columneetza Junior Secondary
At Columneetza, we organized a series of events to demonstrate our support for and commitment to reconciliation with First Nations communities. Both students and staff actively participated in these events.
Smudging
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Ms. McCartney and Ms. Billyboy, both part of the Cultural Committee volunteered to smudge at the front entrance of Columneetza to start off the week of Sept. 24th-27th & Sept. 30th honouring Truth and Reconciliation.