The object of the graduation coach program at the Battlefords three high schools is to increase retention and graduation rates for First Nation, M茅tis and Inuit learners, using a holistic approach addressing social, emotional and spiritual needs as well as academic achievement.
Three students at John Paul II Collegiate believe they see that happening.
Speaking with the Regional Optimistat a Christmas supper for the students, parents and families of the students in the Braided Journeys program, Grade 12 students Azby Whitecalf, Nicole Paskemin and Brianna Cardinal said the program gives FNMI students a safe place to go. It's good to know, they said, that there's a place they can go where they feel comfortable.
Shalen Fox has been hired to be JPII's graduation coach. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2011 and is himself a graduate of John Paul II Collegiate.
A former homework room, a bright, sunlit space, is now the Braided Journeys Room. (The same name is being used at NBCHS and Sakewew, keeping in mind those students who might move from one school to another.)
Fox, speaking at the Christmas supper, said it's exciting to be working with the students and staff of JPII.
"It's even more exciting knowing that I'm working with First Nation and M茅tis students, giving them opportunities to feel comfortable in the school, giving them opportunities to pass a class, giving them an opportunity for having a room for a sense of belonging," he said. "Many are on their way to graduate and that's what the main purpose is."
He added, "Thanks for the opportunity to give back to the school where I came from."
Fox also thanked the parents who attended.
"You're here for your child's education."
Sometimes, he said, it may seem to their kids that they are being given a hard time.
"But at the end of the day, we're just trying to help you graduate and move on to bigger and better things."
The Christmas supper, he said, was a great opportunity for parents to come into school and see how friendly an environment it is.
Students Whitecalf, Paskemin and Cardinal have been making use of the resources offered by the Braided Journeys Program. They each have a plan mapped out and they shared their aspirations with the Regional Optimist.
Whitecalf has plans to start taking University of Saskatchewan classes through North West Regional College, studying art.
Paskemin is hoping to get in to the U of S kinesiology course. Her ideal job would be to become a physical therapist.
Cardinal is planning to take her first year courses at North West Regional College. Her chosen field of study is psychology.
All three students said they see the Braided Journeys Program helping graduation rates and they would even enjoy mentoring other students, since they are already in Grade 12. Having the Braided Journeys room available to them means they know there's always a place they can go. They said many students, who may have been eating alone before, even take their lunch there.
There are always kids in high school, not just FNMI students, who need a place to feel comfortable, they said.
"That's just high school," they said.
The Braided Journeys program at JPII is following the model of a program in Edmonton Catholic schools, which is considered one of the country's most successful programs to improve FNMI graduation rates.
Pamela Sparklingeyes, who has 20 years of experience supporting indigenous students attending Edmonton Catholic schools, was the guest speaker early in the fall at a professional development day at JPII. She heads the program that has improved one school's on-time graduation rates for FNMI students from 14 per cent to 60 per cent over five years.
Funding for JPII's program comes from the Ministry of Education through the Treaty 6 Education Council. North Battleford Comprehensive High School and Sakewew High School have also received funding from the total of $300,000 and they have all hired grad coaches to work directly with First Nation students and their families to help them meet their Grade 12 requirements.
Speaking at the JPII Christmas supper, the school's principal, Carlo Hansen, said he was proud and excited to have parents and family visit the school. He encouraged the students to take their parents down the hall where all the graduation pictures are hung.
"That's what Mr. Fox is all about," said Hansen. "He's here, all the staff that's here, we're here because we want your picture on that wall."
