Indigenous Student Circle Visits Claremont Nature Centre

On April 24, Indigenous students in Grades 6-12 joined together for a fun-filled day at Claremont Nature Centre in Pickering. This day is one of the outings offered to members of the Indigenous Student Circle (ISC). Students took part in a series of outdoor activities that were led by the amazing team at Claremont Nature Centre with some help from DCDSB Indigenous Graduation Coaches and Indigenous Education Team.

Click here to read the full article.

To learn more about the Indigenous Student Circle and how to join, please visit dcdsb.ca/IndigenousEducation.

June is National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month. Throughout the year, we are dedicated to continuous learning, relationship-building, and supporting the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. We strive to strengthen our connections with Indigenous community partners and local organizations.

Explore resources for further learning available year-round to our staff, students, and families on our website: dcdsb.ca/NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth

Indigenous Education Highlights

It's been a busy few weeks as students and staff across DCDSB have continued to engage in Indigenous Education.

Please see the stories below to learn more:

• Acts of Reciprocity at St. Patrick Catholic School and St. James Catholic School
• Educators Participate in Indigenous Education Professional Development Session
• Exploring the Skilled Trades Through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Indigenous Education
• Indigenous Storyteller Visits St. Patrick Catholic School
• Land Walk at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

A Day of Learning with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair

On Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16, Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) staff and educators had the opportunity to gather at the Pope Francis Centre for a day of learning led by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair.

Dr. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe from Peguis First Nation. He is an award-winning writer, editor and professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba. He is a former secondary school teacher who won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. 

During the May 15 session with DCDSB Academic Services and Human Resources staff, Niigaan centered his talk around the concept of Kanata—the Kanyen'kéha (Mohawk) word for “village”—and becoming part of the village is becoming more Canadian. He emphasized that to survive and thrive, we must care for those around us and embrace a collective responsibility. Rather than appropriating ceremonial or spiritual practices that belong to Indigenous people, he encouraged a focus on shared values rooted in this land: democracy, health care, social justice, and education. These are Indigenous created. He challenged everyone to shift from being capitalistic, individualistic and competitive to collaborating and practicing reciprocity. Niigaan also shared with staff that the Land is our greatest teacher.

On May 16, Niigaan spoke to Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices (NBE) teachers. Niigaan shared his personal story, current work, and resources, while encouraging active steps toward reconciliation, what he called ReconciliACTION. He clarified a common misunderstanding that educators are not being told to avoid teaching culture, but rather to avoid appropriating cultural or ceremonial practices that are sacred and specific to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Culture, in its broader sense, can and should be explored. Niigaan explained how Indigenous literature invites readers to experience rather than extract and calls for a pedagogy and assessment style that reflects this relational approach, which is embedded in the NBE curriculum.

Together, these sessions offered a compelling vision for education rooted in respect, relationship, and responsibility at DCDSB.

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Recognizes Red Dress Day

On Monday, May 5, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School's Student 4 Action group commemorated the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirited People.

Students created an impactful art installation that included paintings of faceless dolls in red dresses, red handprints, and messages about how the school community can take action.

The red dress is adapted from the REDress Project, a movement created by artist Jamie Black. It focuses around the issue of missing or murdered Indigenous women across Canada and it aims to raise awareness of the crisis that Indigenous communities continue to face. The project is meant to evoke emotion, action and change.

Thank you to Student 4 Action at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School for sharing.

Kanyen’keha (Mohawk) Introductory Online Language Course - Summer 2025

Families are invited to register for Kanyen’keha (Mohawk) Introductory Online Language Courses. The virtual course will run weekly, beginning July 1, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. The material is learned and taught by Tahnee Bennett, a graduate student of Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa, an adult immersion program on the Six Nations Grand River Territory in southern Ontario. 

All participants will receive 8 live (virtual) 90 min language learning sessions,

a link to the recordings (available for up to 3 months following the workshops), and a certificate of completion.

Please note that this course is free for Indigenous participants.



Click here to learn more and register.