Canada’s only publicly funded K-12 Indigenous charter school opens in central Alberta

It’s a big day for students living near the town of Drayton Valley.

The community — about an hour and a half southwest of Edmonton — celebrated the grand opening of its new school. It’s Canada’s only publicly funded K to 12 Indigenous charter school.

“I can’t believe it’s happening in such a small town. It’s awesome,” said MacKayla Greenlee, a Grade 11 student at Roots of Resilience Charter School.

For students like Greenlee, the Roots of Resilience Charter School provides opportunities to build a deeper understanding and connection to her Indigenous culture.

She didn’t start learning about her Métis background until a couple of years ago, and says catching up on things she would’ve learned from a much younger age under different circumstances can be very difficult.

“I’ve never lived it. I’m starting to live it now. I’m starting to make the traditional dishes, wearing traditional clothes, learning my language,” said Greenlee.

As a publicly funded charter school, students learn the same curriculum as every other public school in Alberta, but lessons are delivered in a more culturally sensitive way, like land-based learning, along with programming for traditional cultural practices like dancing and beading.

“We hope … model what could be. For children in all school divisions,” said Charlene Bearhead, the principal of the Roots of Resilience Charter School.

The school says there is no specific reason to be set up in Drayton Valley. With no nearby reserves, they are hoping to serve all Treaty 6 members in the region.

They already have over 70 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students enrolled. One student drives an hour both directions from O’Chiese First Nation every day.

While Greenlee is nearly done high school, she’s glad this school is in her community.

“I wish I could have done this when I was younger. It’s going to be such an amazing experience for them. They’re going to learn so much,” said Greenlee.