WHAT: Following Their Voices is an initiative designed to raise the educational achievement and participation of Saskatchewan's First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
HOW: Following Their Voices focuses on enhancing relationships between students and teachers, creating structures and supports for teachers and school administrators to co-construct teaching and learning interactions with students and creating safe, well-managed learning environments.
WHO: Following Their Voices is a priority in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP). The ESSP was developed by the education sector consisting of First Nation directors of education, provincial directors of education, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Education.
Guiding Vision
Education that promotes accelerated learning for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students where learning is joyful, culture is affirmed and students are given real choice for their future.
Themes
Relationships
- Hold unconditional positive regard for all students at all times.
- Ensure students clearly understand the learning outcomes and what mastery of each looks like.
Interactions
- Engaging in teaching and learning interactions that are responsive to students interests and needs.
- Using a range of strategic discursive teaching strategies to promote accelerated growth.
Environment
- Create contexts where students have opportunities and feel safe to take risks in their learning.
- Create secure, well-managed learning environments.
U and I
Understanding that education that is relational and culturally responsive demonstrates:
- A focus on responding from within areas of influence
- A commitment to continuous learning, unlearning and re-learning
- A change in practice that accelerates achievement for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students learning as First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
Indicators:
- Caring for and believing in First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and their cultures
- Having high expectations that Métis, Inuit and First Nations students are self-determining, can participate and can achieve
- Creating secure, well-managed learning environments
- Engaging in teaching and learning interactions that are responsive to student interests and needs
- Using a range of strategies to promote accelerated growth
- Using evidence from Métis, First Nations and Inuit student outcomes for critical reflection and for identifying strategic actions that promote accelerated growth
CKCS Goals:
- Grades K-6: By June 2026, 80% of self-declared FNMI students will engage in learning to achieve proficiency in all subjects.
- Grades 7-9: By June of 2026, 65% of self-declared FNMI students will engage in learning to achieve proficiency in all subjects.
- Grades 10-12: By June 2026, 75% of self-declared FNMI students will engage in learning to achieve the outcomes in their enrolled classes.
To learn more about the FTV program in general, visit their website at: https://www.followingtheirvoices.ca/about-ftv