The Equity in Action Project represents the current direction being taken by School Districts with the Department of Indigenous Education in the Ministry of Education to address systemic barriers impacting Indigenous student achievement. A focus on ‘equity of opportunity’ and a co-constructive approach drives a comprehensive review of practices and policies that may create obstacles for Idigenous learners in the B.C. public school system. In 2020-21, the Richmond School District began this important process, joining 19 other districts. The Equity scan has been piloted for 3 years and has evolved over that time to its current design. This year, we focussed on the Policy and Governance pillar, and on the collection of data from both elementary and secondary Indigenous students

Evidence

The Policy Review

As we worked through the Policy and Governance part of the Equity in Action scan, a review of District Policies was completed. This review showed clearly that the Indigenous community is rarely accounted for in the formal policies of our district. As we move forward with policy revisions, we will plan to ensure greater inclusion.
 

Emerging data from students

Some emerging themes from the students are desires for more choice in their learning, and for seeing themselves represented in an authentic way in the curriculum. Students have also expressed a desire to see representations of their cultures within their schools. One school commissioned a carving from a local Indigenous carver of a raven, their school mascot. One Indigenous student commented that seeing the Raven in her school learning commons made her feel that her culture and traditions were valued.