There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Education and Child Care

Haida Gwaii celebrates its first Aboriginal agreement

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Lisa Beare

Honourable Lisa Beare

Honourable Lisa Beare

Read Bio

Contact

Email: ECC.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Education and Child Care

Families in Princeton will benefit from more child care spaces

June 24, 2025 9:45 AM
Families in Princeton will now have access to 80 new child care spaces at the Riverside Learning Centre.
  Read More

Construction begins on student housing at SFU, more child care on the way

May 21, 2025 2:15 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Education and Child Care

British Columbia News

Haida Gwaii celebrates its first Aboriginal agreement

https://news.gov.bc.ca/01549

Share

News Release

Haida Gwaii
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:15 PM

Share

News Release

Haida Gwaii

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:15 PM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • Child Care in B.C.
  • Vision for Student Success
  • B.C.'s Redesigned Curriculum
  • Reporting on Student Success
  • Teaching

Featured Services

  • Certificates of Graduation
  • Student Transcripts Service
  • erase = expect respect & a safe education

Traditional songs sung by Haida First Nation members opened a milestone event in the Haida Gwaii school district (SD 50) today, as representatives of the provincial government, school district and local bands signed their first Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement.

These agreements are commitments between the signatories to support Aboriginal student success and the inclusion of Aboriginal culture as well as history in classrooms.

In a district where more than half of the students are Aboriginal, Haida culture and language are an integral part of the school curriculum. First Nations Elders work with teachers to instruct children in traditional weaving, food-gathering and cooking. To promote literacy, students and educators created an alphabet book, B is for Basketball, which reflects their heritage as well as their love of basketball. This published book is available throughout the province.

The collaboration between the school district and the Haida Nation is already making a positive impact on Aboriginal students. Since 2006, the number of Aboriginal students completing high school in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte has increased every year. In 2010-11, 60 per cent of the district's Aboriginal students graduated with a Dogwood diploma, compared to an average of 54 per cent of Aboriginal students in the province.

Quotes:

Haida Gwaii board of education chair Elizabeth Condrotte -

"This enhancement agreement is the result of extensive consultations with the Old Massett Village Council, the Skidegate Band Council, the Council of the Haida Nation and the Ministry of Education. It represents our dedication to helping our students gain the skills they need in life while maintaining a close connection to their rich heritage."

Principal of Aboriginal Education Joanne Yovanovich -

"The district and Haida communities have collaborated for years to provide students with the skills they need to pursue their goals. We have embraced the philosophy of culturally responsive education, which we have found engages Aboriginal students, increases their success rates and fosters positive as well as respectful relationships."

Quick Facts:

  • SD 50 is located in the traditional territory of the Haida Nation. It is the furthest Western District in B.C. (the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District).
  • Approximately 65 per cent of the Haida Gwaii school district's students are Aboriginal. In the current 2011-12 school year, there are 425 First Nations children enrolled in the district (out of a total of 655 students).
  • To date, 53 school districts have signed Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements.
  • Provincial funding for Aboriginal education in 2010-11 was $62.9 million ($1,160 per student).

Learn More:

Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/abed/agreements/

SD 50 (Haida Gwaii): http://sd50.bc.ca/

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963


https://news.gov.bc.ca/01549

Related Articles

Families in Princeton will benefit from more child care spaces

June 24, 2025 9:45 AM

Construction begins on student housing at SFU, more child care on the way

May 21, 2025 2:15 PM

Minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s, K-12 education partners’ statement on Pride 2025

June 2, 2025 8:00 AM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia