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Indigenous Education
The Indigenous Program is located in room 1251 and 1253.  Here we support students with academics through our teacher tutors Ms. Niki Siddall and Mr. Trevor Heard as well as  Advocates Femi Vrtar, Candice McKendry and Kim Gunner during the school day Monday through Friday.  We also offer home work support afterschool 3:15 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday.  We liaise with teachers and work in cooperation with them to attain student success.  At lunchtime our room is also open to students to socialize and participate in cultural activities.  We also provide a hot lunch to all Rutland Sr. Secondary students on a first come first serve basis.  The lunch is prepared daily by our Resource department who's students are mastering their life skills with food preparation/shopping/and menu planning.

There are areas in the room featuring Indigenous cultures such as the Okanagan, Metis and territories in Canada.  There are cultural demonstrations at lunch time and community events posted.  Working with the Kelowna Friendship Society, Metis Association, Lake Country Native Association, West bank First Nations we offer opportunities for students to engage in Indigenous youth events and events for families.  Refer to events below.

Advocates ​foster transitioning students to post secondary education, within the SD23's Okanagan College and BCIT programs as well as UBCO & other Okanagan College programs.  We liaise with these institutions, bridging students to their supports and removing barriers to their success.  We help students take the appropriate classes for entrance requirements and help with bursaries, scholarships and contacting Band offices for funding.

Beginning in January of 2019, we started an Indigenous Learning Community. 

If you need an update on your students progress or have concerns, please contact us :
Teachers

Niki.siddall@sd23.bc.ca​                 Tel (250) 870-5110 
Tervor.Heard@sd23.bc.ca  
Advocates  Tel (250)870-5110 ​​

Femi.Vrtar@sd23.bc.ca  Ext: 7974
Candice.Mckendry@sd23.bc.ca  Ext: 4360
​Kim.Gunner@sd23.bc.ca  Ext: 7029
The District Principal of Indigenous Education is 
Anne Tenning Tel (250)870-5144  Email anne.tenning@sd23.bc.ca
Indigenous Cultural Department: Simone.Gauthier@sd23.bc.ca (250) 870-5144​ 
                                  

 
Indigenous BURSARY and Status information
www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/bursary/   there is a new search tool that can locate bursaries & scholarships for Indigenous students.
 
The website  www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca will also show resources for Indigenous people like: forms, and information on Status process. Another great website to help research for Indigenous heritage is "First Nations Profile".
 
To renew Status cards call either: 
  •  Vernon Okanagan Band office at 1-250-542-4328 ext. 218 Veronica Wilson to book appointment
  • West bank First Nations Community Services 250-768-0227 Audrey Wilson to book appointment
 
 
 

NEXT YEAR'S Indigenous COURSES:

R' Native Voice 11 - In partnership with the Okanagan Alliance, "R'Native Voice" will provide workshops that are culturally meaningful as well as relevant skills, and connect with community. Course units include: Indigenous History, Beliefs & values, Cooking, Depression & Suicide, etc.

English 10 First Peoples - Open to everyone, this course is the subject to a Provincial Exam and is the equivalent of English 10. The course content explores First Peoples provincially, nationally and internationally. Multi media formats are used to learn about experiences, values, lived realities of dramatic work, dance, song as well as fiction & non-fiction literature.

Indigenous Outdoor Education - This course runs a whole day as there are many fieldtrips where students learn to use GPS tools, plant identification & uses, survival skills, salmon spawning, snowshoeing etc.  In class studies include cultural presentations and explorations.  Students earn 8 credits.