Building cultural proficiency to support reconciliation through education: a professional development training tool

• Main Author: Lapointe Jones, Denise Elizabeth
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University 2020
• Subjects: Cultural relations; First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25316/ir-17058; https://viurrspace.ca/handle/10613/25246

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation’s 94 Calls to Action and The School District No. 63 (Saanich), W̱ SÁNEĆ, Other First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education Enhancement Agreement, 2018 – 2023 (EAA), this project was created with the intent of building Cultural Proficiency in educators in the Saanich School District (SD63). The Cultural Proficiency Training Program (the project attached to this thesis) was created with the intent to work towards meeting the goals outlined by The EEA as committed to by the W̱ SÁNEĆ local First Nations and SD63. First, I identified the Cultural Proficiency Framework as best practice for building cross-cultural competency to foster safe and inclusive learning environments for students of all cultures, and to provide equitable access to educational opportunities for all students in SD63. Next I created a website and professional development training tool (Cultural Proficiency Training Program) to be explored by or presented to new and existing SD63 employees. The website also includes a list of useful resources and pre and post training reflection questions, as well as a questionnaire to use to assess the efficacy of the program.