For the first time, a Prince George school has a space dedicated to the idea of place-based learning within aboriginal ways of knowing.
It's called the All Nations Outdoor Teaching and Learning Centre and its home is on the Prince George secondary school grounds.
"We birthed the idea of having a dedicated space that would form that sense of belonging and identity not only for aboriginal students, but non-aboriginal," said Shelly Niemi, aboriginal education department manager, at the structure's ceremonial opening Thursday afternoon.
The idea emerged in February 2015 from community consultations between the department and parents, elders and other partners.
"The community was saying we need to have more place-based learning happening for our children. We need to have more experiential and land-based education opportunities."
It works into a district-wide approach to education that's developed over the last five years.
"Our system truthfully believes that we need to embed aboriginal ways of knowing into every aspect of what we're doing in education. It's for two purposes," Niemi said.
"For helping our children grow and explore... and build that sense of pride and identity for who they are and where they come from - but also as an act of reconciliation within education."
Later this school year, the school and staff will traditionally name the structure and decide what artwork will be used to symbolize all nations.
Lheidli T'enneh elder Edie Frederick opened the ceremony with a prayer and said she would smudge the building afterward.
"Creator, we ask that you help the children, our kids who are walking on the wrong road right now and who should be here attending school. We just ask that you inspire them to come to school to get their education," Frederick said.
In 2014, School District 57 graduated only 48.8 per cent of its aboriginal students, while 81 per cent of non-aboriginal students earned their Dogwood diploma.
"It really is a historic day for us," said acting principal Kap Manhas before Lheidli council members cut the ribbon to mark the official opening for the building, which was completed in September.
Teachers can sign out the space like any classroom.
"It's definitely a mix of education and environment and a promotion of aboriginal learning," Manhas said.
The cost of the structure was shared between the aboriginal education department and Prince George Secondary School. Niemi couldn't confirm the cost, but it was more than $100,000.
"We think it will be a wonderful asset," said school board chair Tony Cable, who was on hand with several school trustees for the opening.
"It'll be a facility for all students."
The structure is also a very visible marker not only on the school grounds, but from Highway 97.
"That was done with intent," Niemi said.
"It's a great teaching opportunity," she said, to have the conversations about what it means and what aboriginal education can mean.
"This place is a constant daily reminder that aboriginal education is important and that we all have to have a part of it as a system. When you have that visual reminder, you have shared ownership."
