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Journal of Educational Change

, Volume 12, Issue 3, pp 323–345 | Cite as

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education: The Alberta initiative for school improvement approach to improve indigenous education in Alberta

  • Thelma M. Gunn
  • Guy Pomahac
  • Evelyn Good Striker
  • Johnel Tailfeathers
Article
First Online:

Abstract

The education of minority students is of considerable interest within the literature. Ensuring that all children receive quality programming and that they successfully graduate from school is of concern for parents, educational stakeholders, and society alike. In Canada, the indigenous populations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students have fallen significantly short of acceptable graduation rates. In an attempt to address this issue, results from 16 selected projects funded by the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) that focused upon FNMI Education will be discussed. A comprehensive review of the projects suggests that by involving Aboriginal parents and Elders in meaningful ways and by focusing upon Aboriginal language, culture, and history not as an “add-on” but an integral part of Canadian history and culture, Aboriginal students are more likely to remain in school.

Keywords

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education Indigenous education High school completion 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Thelma M. Gunn
    • 1
  • Guy Pomahac
    • 2
  • Evelyn Good Striker
    • 2
  • Johnel Tailfeathers
    • 2
  1. 1.Educational Psychology, Faculty of EducationUniversity of LethbridgeLethbridgeCanada
  2. 2.Faculty of EducationUniversity of LethbridgeLethbridgeCanada

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