The Calgary Board of Education is committed to creating inclusive learning environments that honour Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing while supporting the success, well-being and belonging of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Across CBE schools from kindergarten to Grade 12, students have opportunities to learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, languages and perspectives through authentic, meaningful and culturally responsive learning experiences. Through partnerships with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families and communities, CBE supports reconciliation and strengthens connections to Indigenous knowledge, traditions and worldviews.
Indigenous Education supports are available throughout CBE, including Indigenous-focused programs, high school programming, cultural learning opportunities, student supports and resources that help students build connections to their identity, community and learning. These programs and supports provide students with opportunities to develop academically, socially, emotionally and culturally while preparing them for future success.
Indigenous Education Focus School Communities
The CBE is proud to offer two Indigenous Education Focus school programs that provide students with meaningful learning experiences rooted in First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives, cultures and ways of knowing. These programs support students through a strong academic foundation while fostering a sense of belonging, identity and connection
Explore each program below to learn more about the unique learning opportunities available at:
- Niitsitapi Learning Centre | Preschool, Kindergarten to Grade 2
- Piitoayis Family School | Kindergarten to Grade 6
The Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework
The Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework sets out the structure of foundational knowledge (four domains) and the underlying attributes essential to ensuring our success as an organization in achieving these key actions over three years and beyond. The framework is not a “how-to” guide for Indigenous Education or a recipe for closing gaps. Rather, it provides a foundation upon which individual staff members, teams, schools (including students and community), service units, and our district can meaningfully position and deepen our individual and collective knowledge, decisions, and actions to meet the holistic needs of all students.
The Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework expands on the Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Visual (shown below) that was inspired by the UNESCO Four Pillars of Education (1996), the work of the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) (2007), and knowledge shared by Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Passed on through stories, Elders and Knowledge Keepers have offered significant wisdom and guidance to design a framework representative of traditional and contemporary Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing.
Indigenous Education Team
The CBE Indigenous Education Team provides leadership and support across the district, working closely with CBE service units, schools (including students and families), and the Indigenous community. The Indigenous Education Team includes:
- 1 Education Director
- 1 System Principal
- 4 Indigenous Education Learning Specialists
- 4 Diversity & Learning Support Advisors
- 2 Indigenous Education Strategists
- 7 Indigenous Student Success Learning Leaders
- 9 Indigenous Student High School Graduation Coaches
Self-Declaration
In addition to supports provided for all students, the CBE provides enhanced supports for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who have self-identified their status through the Alberta Education First Nations, Métis or Inuit Self-Identification. First Nations, Métis and Inuit students can voluntarily self-declare their Indigenous ancestry upon registration into the CBE on the student registration form or the annual verification form. This identification will carry forward each year until such time as parents request it to be removed. For more information, see Alberta Education Aboriginal Student Self-Declaration Information for Parents and Guardians.
Supporting Information
- Indigenous Education | Cultural Protocols
- Commūn-I-Tea Protocol
- Round Dance 101
- The Family Resource Guide is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be an official endorsement.
- Indigenous Family Resource Guide
Contact
Indigenous Education Team
This email account is monitored weekly with a reply time of 2-3 work days.
If you are a parent and want to discuss your child’s learning needs, including how to access support from the Indigenous Education Team, please contact your child’s teacher or school principal.
Last modified: 2026-07-13 21:42:50.813151 +0000 UTC