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About Us

Ey' swayel, welcome to Indigenous Learning

2025-26 Indigenous education in Surrey Schools:

For the approximately 3000 Indigenous Learners in Surrey, the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement was in place until 2018 (see archive here) but was not renewed with the diverse Indigenous communities named therein, however, the goals remain important:

  1. Increase positive identity and sense of belonging for all Aboriginal learners.
  2. Increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, traditions and cultures for all learners. 
  3. Increase achievement for Aboriginal learners. 

Since 2019, Indigenous learning has used social innovation and Equity Labs to engage urban Indigenous parents and guardians, including Métis Nation BC and the Fraser Region Friendship Centre Association, in co-developing recommended educational practices that create learning environments that are culturally safe, supportive and welcoming for Indigenous learners. Since 2021, engagement with First Nations Rightsholders occurs through Local Education Agreements and the Indigenous Education Leadership Council and Rightsholders meetings with the Surrey Board of School Trustees. These are in line with distinctions-based approach to engaging and relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit societies, organizations and individuals wherein, relationships based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership must reflect the unique interests, priorities, and circumstances of each people. See more about Distinctions Based Approach here. 

At this time, the members of the Indigenous Education Leadership Council (see draft Terms of Reference here) meet separately with the Secretariat because of the unique needs and interests of the Rightsholder First Nations: Katzie First Nation and Semiahmoo First Nation. 

Indigenous Learning and Surrey Schools continue to address the recommendations that have emerged from 3 Equity Lab gatherings.

Hands Back, Hand Forward

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For more information about Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements, click on the Enhancement Agreement tab.

In addition to school and district supports, Indigenous students receive additional education enhancement services from Indigenous Learning. The services are provided by:

  • Administrative Staff
  • Indigenous Child and Youth Care Workers
  • Indigenous Transitions Facilitators
  • Director of Instruction
  • District Indigenous Helping Teachers
  • District Principal
  • Education Assistants
  • First Peoples in Residence Program
  • Indigenous Lead Teachers (Elementary)
  • Indigenous Graduation Advocates
  • Indigenous Connections Team 

Our teacher resource website!

(Created by Surrey District Aboriginal Helping Teachers:  click here)

Our district

We are the largest district in B.C. and one of the few growing districts in the province. We have 125 kindergarten to Grade 12 schools and serve Surrey, White Rock and the rural area of Barnston Island. We acknowledge that our district is on the shared, unceded, traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo and Kwantlen Nations. We offer a wide range of education and support programs to students of all ages.

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School District No.36 (Surrey)