Welcome to the Indigenous Education Department of School District #42!
The Indigenous Education department is for those students whose family has Indigenous Ancestry. This can be First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. Proof of Ancestry is not required, and the Ancestry can go back several generations. The only thing we need from you is to fill out the Indigenous Education Self Identification form. This form Identifies your student as having Ancestry, and gives us permission to connect with them. You can also indicate what types of support you would prefer; Language and Culture, Support Services, or you can choose both.
How do I Self-Identify?
There are 3 ways:
- Accessing the form from the Indigenous Education website in fillable or print format. See the links below. You can complete the fillable form online and email it back. For the printable version, print it, fill it out by hand, then either scan and email it back or drop it off at your child’s school.
- Pick up a Self-Identification form at your school office in September.
- Contact the Indigenous Education Department to have a form mailed to you.
Printable form: 2025-26 Self-Identification Form
Fillable form: 2025-26 Self-Identification Form Fillable
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of support do we provide?
Indigenous Education support can take the form of additional academic support, field trips or cultural gatherings visits to post-secondary institutions as well as cultural activities, programs, and annual awards for secondary students. In the updated self-identification form families can choose to have culture/language supports and/or academic support (or both supports) from the Indigenous Education Support Worker and/or the Indigenous Education Helping Teacher. In secondary schools, we track student progress from grades 8-12 to ensure each student is on track to graduate. If any students require additional supports along the way, we work with other school support staff, so students receive the help they need.
Will my child be pulled out of class for extra supports?
When we take students from class for support it is done in alignment with existing support plans that have been developed by either the classroom teacher or the school-based support team. You can request that your student remains in class for additional support. Some programs such as Grade 7 district cultural gatherings, student secondary leadership, and visits to post-secondary institutions require students to miss class. These types of activities require signed field trip permission forms, so your student will participate only if you agree.
Can I self-identify and choose to not receive extra supports
In some cases, parents and students choose to self-identify, but do not want us to provide additional cultural/language or academic support. Our funding regulations require us to maintain regular contact with all students who have self-identified through academic support and/or cultural/language activities. Our goal is to work with parents and students to determine the type and amount of support and/or contact that is comfortable and useful for each student.
What is the Equity in Action plan?
Deepening Indigenous Education and Equity – In Fall of 2020, School District No 42 joined the Equity in Action project, lead by the Indigenous Education branch of the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Under the direction of lead investigator Dr. Amy Parent, a joint SFU and UBC research team conducted interviews, sharing circles, and focus groups to identify the barriers that exist in the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District that impact Indigenous student success and achievement. This research was concluded in June 2022. The Indigenous Education department, under the leadership of District Principal Kathleen Anderson and Vice-Principal Mary Hotomanie, has developed an Equity in Action Plan to implement the recommendations listed in the Deepening Indigenous Education and Equity report.
How can I find out who are the Indigenous Education staff members at my child’s school?
You can ask at the school office, check the Staff page on the Indigenous Education website, or call us at the Indigenous Education office (604-466-6265)
Who do I contact with other questions?
If you have any other questions please contact:
Kathleen Anderson, District Principal of Indigenous Education
Phone: 604–466-6265