The growing success of a unique Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) Indigenous program was under the spotlight at Public Education Symposium (PES) 2026 hosted by the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) in Toronto.
The annual event on January 23 and 24 included trustees, senior leaders, and other staff from across the province joining together for professional networking, guest speakers, and discussions on key topics relevant to the public education landscape.
Prior to the event, school boards were invited to submit proposals to present on a range of subject areas. BWDSB leveraged the opportunity with a successful submission to OPSBA to present on the topic of "Supporting Indigenous Student Success Through Culturally Responsive Programming".
Leading the presentation were secondary teacher Kelsey Maus (Saugeen District Senior School [SDSS]), principals Charlotte McFarlan (SDSS) and Rochelle Fraizinger (Ripley-Huron Community School), and BWDSB Indigenous Advisor Rebecca Chegahno.
Attendees had a chance to hear about the recently developed Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program at SDSS to support Indigenous learners. Grounded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and aligned with BWDSB and provincial equity priorities, the program is aimed at addressing achievement gaps and systemic barriers facing Indigenous students.
With inspiration from successful alternative education models, and guided by a small group of forward-thinking BWDSB leaders, the course bundle program was created to reflect the needs, strengths, and pathways of Indigenous students. Now in its second year, the one-semester program is held in the enriching surroundings of an off-site local camp, offering flexible course selection aligned with college, university, apprenticeship, and workplace pathways. Indigenous teachings and Ojibway language learning are key embedded components with a focus on identity, belonging, purpose, and cultural mentorship enabled through community partnerships.
Throughout the program's development, the priority was to create a safe and inclusive environment where strong and trusting relationships could flourish, and students could re-engage with learning in a meaningful way.
In addition to these important aspects, the PES presentation featured the program’s development and evolution from a course bundle to a Ministry of Education supported SHSM pathway for students. Key community partnerships were also referenced, including BWDSB’s ongoing work to strengthen collaboration with Saugeen First Nation. Also highlighted were some early outcomes demonstrating increased student engagement, credit accumulation, and post-secondary pathways, and how the program is aligned with BWDSB’s commitments to equity, Truth and Reconciliation, and improved graduation rates for Indigenous students. By the end of the first semester in 2024–2025, the program had already demonstrated clear successes with multiple students earning credits, and many instances of re-engagement and students pursuing college education. The program has received a lot of positive student feedback with many reporting an increase in confidence, connection, and purpose.
At the end of the day, PES attendees walked away with some new knowledge, thanks to our BWDSB presenters, on the important role of culturally responsive education, grounded in relationships and respect, in creating pathways to achievement and belonging.