The Rocky View Schools' (RVS) Indigenous Learning branch received over 200 requests in the span of a year.
During the RVS meeting on Mar. 20, new Director of Indigenous Learning, Cindy Stefanato, provided an update on the program that is a part of RVS’ Learning Department, and aims to support teachers and students in their learning journey toward truth and reconciliation.
Between Feb. 2024 to Feb. 2025, the branch received and responded to 202 requests for support from school-based staff.
Out of 202, 99 requests were made for cultural support in areas such as connecting with Elders, event planning and protocol adherence.
According to Stefanato, that number increased by 12 per cent.
A total of 75 requests, which is 37 per cent, were made for curricular and resource support in areas such as indigenizing practices, connection to resources and modelling lessons.
Lastly, 28 requests were received for administrative support in areas such as school wide planning, professional learning, and connection to student support resources. For this category, the number decreased by 12 per cent.
"Which is actually a little bit smaller than the percentage sound, which was six schools," Stefanato said.
There's also been a growth in ASBA Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award nominations to recognize Indigenous student success, she explained.
With the recent administrative support requests, Stefanato has noticed a positive change.
"I feel as though our administrators are building their capacity and in that they're building the capacity in their [school] staff."
Stefanato aims to build on the notion of self-direction where school staff is able to rely on resources that have been put together with community consultation.
Moreover, staff has also been receiving mentoring specifically in areas of Indigenous learning. One of the new elements the branch is eagerly looking forward to is being able to host its inaugural First Nations, Métis, and Inuit High School graduation.
High school graduations are intimidating and expensive; therefore, the branch wanted to ensure an increased access to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.
"We [also] wanted to make sure that [the graduation] is a culturally safe place for them to be able to celebrate their graduation," Stefanato said, adding that, "we are still in the planning stages."
One of the primary challenges in the branch is being able to find learning specialists. However, in the fall of 2024, additional team members were added to the branch and its capacity has also increased to support division staff and students with connections to the Indigenous community and initiatives such as cultural support and learning groups for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, and more.
Other than a director, the branch has two Learning Specialists, one Indigenous Cultural Liaison, and an Indigenous Connector with open positions for an additional learning specialist and an additional Indigenous cultural liaison.
