5.3 Aboriginal education programming

Debbie Leighton-Stephens is the District Principal of Aboriginal Education in Prince Rupert. She works with a small number of professional staff—both teachers and educational assistants/resource personnel—in supporting the goals of the Aboriginal Enhancement/Partnership Agreement and the success of its Aboriginal student population. Given the high percentage of Aboriginal students in the district, it isn’t surprising that there are a considerable number of Aboriginal education programs offered in the district. As their website notes:

Aboriginal Education Services is committed to building understanding of Aboriginal history and culture throughout the school district as a way to develop positive relationships among all students and staff.

Aboriginal Education Services continues to plan and implement successful initiatives, programs, and materials including the Sm’algyax Language Program, the LUCID Research Partnership, First Nations Cross-Curricular Units, the Role Model Program, Family Resource Workers, Full/All Day Kindergarten, PALS (Parents as Literacy Supporters), POPS (Parents of Primary Learners), Helping Our Children Learn family workshops, Summer Read and Play, and other programs (Aboriginal Education Website, n.d. ¶1).