The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) co-ordinates the Premier’s Award each year. The award was presented on behalf of Premier Scott Moe during the SSBA’s Annual General Assembly on Monday.
“I am pleased to see the Northern Lights School Division Board of Education’s innovative approaches to promoting indigenous culture in education,” said Education Minister Everett Hindley. “The Government of Saskatchewan applauds the division for its leadership in reconciliation through education.”
In its application for the award, Northern Lights said of its submission: “The focus on Indigenization permeates the school division, evident in all schools and in every partnership … The journey to addressing (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action), Indigenization and decolonization was developed to engage our students in the context and historical place inhabited by our people since time immemorial. There has been a concerted effort to engage our students in cultural activities on the land, in their language and honouring their knowledge, values and history.”
“Almost 90 per cent of our nearly 4,000 students identify as Indigenous, so this work for us has significance that extends far beyond test results and memorizing textbooks,” said NLSD board chair Joey McCallum. “It is our great honour and privilege to receive this award tonight and we thank the province for its recognition of such a vital project.”
To view a video about the award recipients, please visit: https://youtu.be/ivMfuprzLGI