Leader staff

Northland School Division has received an award from the Public School Boards Association of Alberta (PSBAA) for its work in advancing one or more of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).

The award was presented at the PSBAA Spring General Assembly in Calgary on June 4, 2025.

Northland was recognized for putting reconciliation into action in schools. According to a news release from the school division, Northland’s work supports TRC Calls to Action 10, 14, 62, 63 and 64.

For starters, it involves teaching students on the land and helping them learn Indigenous languages. Then there’s working with elders and adding signs in Indigenous languages in schools.

Further, Northland created councils of elders and knowledge keepers and of young people, “to help guide school decisions,” says the news release. Training for staff to better understand Indigenous cultures and histories is also part of the program.

And there’s more! Northland hosts (or plans to host) Cree language and cultural events, as well as working with families and community members to improve education.

Some of these measures have been developed – or at least are informed by – a series of community engagement sessions hosted by Northland, over the past couple of years.

“This helped make sure the voices of families, elders and students guided the division’s work so that Northland students thrive,” says the news release.

Commenting on the award, Northland Board Chair Tanya Fayant says, “We are deeply honoured to be recognized for this work. It shows what can happen when families, elders and staff work together to support students. The division’s efforts are guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the vision families have for their children.”

In the news release, Northland Superintendent Cal Johnson said: “Families told us what needed to change. We listened.”