Niagara Catholic District School Board
VOLUNTARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
FIRST NATION, MÉTIS AND INUIT SELF-IDENTIFICATION
ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
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| 300 – Schools/Students
| No 301.9
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| | |
Adopted Date: June 14, 2011
| Latest Reviewed/Revised Date: September 19, 2023
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In keeping with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, the following are Administrative Operational Procedures for Voluntary and Confidential Indigenous Students First Nation, Métis and Inuit Self-Identification.
PREAMBLE
In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Board acknowledges that all people are created equal, in the image of God, each with inimitable characteristics deserving of dignity (Genesis: 1:27), representing the diversity of all students.
The Board supports that the learning aspirations and potential of all students can be achieved through a focus on programs and services, partnerships, and relationships with students, families, and communities.
BACKGROUND
Indigenous (also known as aboriginal) identification refers to the definition in the Constitution Act, 1982, Part II, Section 35 (2) in that “aboriginal peoples of Canada” includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
This also includes:
1. First Nation students who attend provincially funded elementary or secondary schools.
2. Métis students who attend provincially funded elementary or secondary schools.
3. Inuit students who attend provincially funded elementary or secondary schools.
Niagara Catholic supports Indigenous students by:
• developing effective strategies, and learning opportunities that are responsive, flexible and accessible to improve student achievement and well-being;
• closing the gap in student achievement in the areas of literacy and numeracy; and
• increasing retention and Indigenous student graduation rates to support the pursuit of post-secondary education or training and/or to enter the workforce.
VOLUNTARY and CONFIDENTIAL INDIGENOUS STUDENT SELF-IDENTIFICATION
Indigenous students have the right to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify as First Nation, Métis or Inuit.
1. Self-identification may be declared by:
• Parents/guardians of students under the age of 18,
• Students 18 years of age and older,
• Students who are 16 or 17 years of age and are withdrawn from parental control.
2. Self-identification may be declared during the following times:
i) For Newly Registered Students: at the time of registration on student the student registration forms,
ii) For students currently enrolled in a Niagara Catholic school: At any time throughout the school year on the Voluntary and Confidential Indigenous Student Self-Identification Card available at the school. This form is to be completed and submitted to the Principal.
REMOVAL OF IDENTIFICATION
Parents/guardians of students under the age of 18, students 18 years of age and older, and students who are 16 or 17 years of age and are withdrawn from parental control shall be entitled to remove the identification at any time, upon written request to the Principal.
STUDENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Data collected under this Administrative Operational Procedures will be securely stored and maintained according to legislation and will be communicated to the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
References
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Building Bridges to Success for First Nation, Metis and Inuit Students
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Constitution Act, 1982
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Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
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Ontario Education Act, Section 8.1(1): Collection and Use of Personal Information
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Ontario First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Policy Framework
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Ontario Human Rights Commission Guidelines for Collecting Data on Enumerated Grounds
Under the Code
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Ontario’s Indigenous Education Strategy
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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• Niagara Catholic District School Board Policies/Procedures
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Admission of Elementary and Secondary Students Policy (301.1)
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Equity and Inclusive Education Policy (100.10)
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Ontario Student Records (OSR) (301.7) AOP
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Safe and Accepting Schools Policy (302.6)
Adopted Date:
Revision History:
| June 14, 2011
June 19, 2018
September 19, 2023
|
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Voluntary and Confidential Self-Identification for First Nation, Metis and Inuit Students (301.9) Administrative Operational Procedures
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