Indigenous Education
Cowichan Valley School District
XE'XE'SMUN'EEM
Our Sacred Children
The Cowichan Valley School District recognizes, and gives thanks, that we work, live, and play on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the lands of the Ts’uubaa-asatx, Penelakut, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Malahat, and Quw’utsun peoples. We dedicate this work to our First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and all children in the Cowichan Valley School District.
Resources
Video Resources
A collection of videos, recordings and printable resources to support teachers.
Land Acknowledgement
A PDF document respectfully acknowledging the land where we work and play.
Hul'q'umi'num Resources
Resources that have been developed to support language revitalization.
Our Story Is Beyond Education
As a District we are always challenging ourselves to be even better for our xe’ xe’ smun’eem, our sacred children. We developed this Strategic Plan through extensive consultation with students, staff, parents, and community members. The commitment and enthusiasm shown in developing this plan has demonstrated how deeply passionate our community is about the education and well-being of our children, our youth, and our community.
In the Cowichan School District, we believe...
All students can learn
In supporting the whole child
Learning experiences should be engaging, purposeful and reflective of voice and choice
In using strength-based approaches
In the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing
Strength is found in diversity
Cultural Presenters
The Indigenous Education Department has a listing of many Indigenous resource people to support teachers in integrating Indigenous content into their curriculum. These resource people are available to any class in the district and will be paid for by the INED department. Complete this form and return to the INED department by Tuesday afternoon for payment to be ready for Friday.
Our goal is for the presenter to be paid day of workshop given. There are times that this will be impossible and payment will be the following week. If the workshop is cancelled the payment is to be returned to the INED department.
Hul’q’umi’num Street Signs
In early 2021, the Duncan Downtown Business Improvement Association (DDBIA) and Duncan City Council approved seven bilingual street signs that were installed in Duncan displaying names in both Hul’q’umi’num and English.
In coordination with this effort, Cowichan Valley School District students from Alexander Elementary School recorded Hul’q’umi’num pronunciation aids to help others learn these new names.
Indigenous Knowledge Sessions
Part of our school district? Come and learn some Hul’q’umi’num’ from our District Elder, hear local stories about history, language and culture with one of our District Knowledge Holders and be challenged on your thoughts around Truth and Reconciliation and Equity. Sessions are only 30 minutes. Please come when you can. We look forward to seeing you!
Huy tseep q’u sii’em
Social Media
Follow the Indigenous Education Department on social! We’ll do our best to keep the website up-to-date but for all current events and details check us out on Facebook or Instagram.
- Cowichan Valley School District Indigenous Education
- @cowichanschoolsindigenoused
Video Resources
Spend some time with Cowichan School District Elder Dolly Sylvester while she helps us understand more about the Cowichan culture or learn some the ‘Hul’q’umi’num’ Word of the Week’