Indigenous Education

Creating a Community of Caring

The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is committed to a renewed relationship with Indigenous learners, families, staff and the broader community. That promise is reflected in our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP).

The MYSP looked to the Circle of Courage, an Indigenous-inspired whole-learner framework for a holistic learning journey that incorporates the concepts of Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity, for guidance and inspiration. By introducing Indigenous Education, which are the ways of knowing and being to our community, we can ensure that we embed Indigenous worldviews, practices and culture into our learning and activities. We are proud of the efforts of our Indigenous Education team and staff throughout the division who are bringing our MYSP to life in their lessons, classrooms and communities.

The Indigenous Education Team

The Indigenous Education Team works with schools and the community to promote Indigenous student success and integrate Indigenous perspectives into curricula. Meet the team.

Graduation Powwow

The LRSD Powwow graduation event began as a dream but quickly became a reality. Now students of all ages can take part as dancers and graduates.

Since 2016, a dedicated group of divisional staff led by Corey Kapilik, Divisional Principal of DEI & AR, with support from Coco Ray Stevenson, a community leader, has come together to ensure the authenticity and spirit of a Powwow were honoured. The number of participants has increased yearly, with more than 210 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students entering the Powwow during Grand Entry in 2023.

Indigenous Parent Program

In partnership with school leadership and staff across LRSD, the Indigenous Education team is proud to offer the Indigenous Parent Program (IPP) available every Tuesday afternoon at Marion School and every Wednesday afternoon at Lavallee School. Two cultural Integration Specialists/Community Support Workers support the IPP and provide a safe place where families can meet and discuss issues around parenting. Staff are also available to help parents support their children’s successful educational journey. Parents can participate in sewing, arts and crafts, and beading throughout the year. They can also participate in making traditional Indigenous clothing such as moccasins, gauntlets and regalia. Families can also learn about cultural teachings and have received presentations from various community organizations. The IPP is accessible to all families across LRSD. Over the school year, the program has more than 60 families from various schools participate.

Indigenous Youth Leadership

Indigenous Youth Leadership (IYL), also known as Oyoyocik in Cree, has traditional Indigenous culture at its core. IYL provides mentoring and guidance to adults and students in the group and across the division. It also helps students find their voice and use it to promote advocacy and agency on Indigenous issues and perspectives. The program also recognizes the importance of embedding Indigenous worldviews and practices into learning and activities, which helps students reach their academic and personal goals. Cultural activities and events are designed to develop a sense of belonging and community. Students are encouraged to participate in or facilitate cultural and learning activities in their schools or for a division-wide audience. These could include smudging, drumming, land-based education and traditional ceremonies.

Manito Ahbee Aki

Manito Ahbee Aki is the first Minecraft teaching resource in the world that honours, celebrates and explores a Manitoba Anishinaabe community. Players in Manito Ahbee Aki, which translates to “the place where the Creator sits” in English, are transported to Manito Ahbee, a site located in Manitoba’s western Whiteshell area, before European contact in North America. Members of the LRSD Indigenous Council of Grandmothers and Grandfathers, Frank Deer, LRSD Scholar in Residence, and Knowledge Keepers from the Manitoba Anishinaabe community, guided and informed the development of the project. Manito Ahbee Aki allows players to explore a fun and interactive world while gaining insight into Indigenous teachings and perspectives. This Anishinaabe digital world includes flora, fauna and locations from Manitoba that do not exist in any other Minecraft property. The non-player characters in the game are also unique and are modelled after Grandmother Chickadee, two LRSD staff and three Anishinaabe Knowledge Keepers from Manitoba.

Indigenous Language Programming

The Indigenous language program was introduced to Louis Riel School Division classrooms during the 2016 school year, starting with one language speaker in four classrooms. In the 2017-2018 school year, Hilda Kent and Linda Allen joined the team and brought the Ojibwe program to 33 Kindergarten and nine Grade 1 classes. In 2022, eight language speakers brought the program to 25 out of the 30 elementary schools in 50 Kindergarten and 65 Grade 1/2 classes, as well as one Grade 9 to 12 class.

As of 2025, all Kindergarten to Grade 2 classes received Indigenous language instruction twice per cycle for 30 minutes and two high schools now offer a class for Grade 9 to 12 students.

Students learn Anishinaabemowin, Cree, and Michif.

Indigenous Language learning outdoors

Powwow Club

Before the official LRSD Powwow Club was formed in 2016, Hastings School had a group of students engaged in Powwow dance. The divisional Powwow Club took place at the René Deleurme Centre inside Lavallee School from two to four times a month. Several schools were represented in this group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth learning how to do something that once was outlawed in Canada. The LRSD Powwow Club grew exponentially in 2019, with more than 80 students participating. In addition to the Hastings School and Lavallee School clubs, Marion School became a satellite space for all LRSD students to participate in powwow dancing. Windsor Park Collegiate also developed a space for high school students to join powwow dancing and became the first space in LRSD to have a drumming group.