Leadership Updates in Indigenous Education

The Abbotsford School District is committed to investing in Indigenous Education, aiming to improve Indigenous students’ success, supporting all students in learning about Indigenous peoples, and helping teachers in their efforts to infuse Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the classroom. To further this goal, the school district has invested additional roles and leaders in the portfolio.

Effective August 1, 2022, Perry Smith Kꙻ  anilqꙻ  a? became the Assistant Superintendent and will work at fostering the integral relationship between curriculum, instruction, and Indigenous Education to support our students’ learning journeys. Perry has held several positions in the Abbotsford School District, and we are excited to see both Indigenous Education and Curriculum come under his care.

Darlene MacDonald will continue to serve as our District Principal of Indigenous Education. Darlene has been and continues to advocate and care for Indigenous students and families. Darlene works with all levels of the school district to support our Enhancement Agreement for Indigenous Students and our district’s Commitment.

Also joining the leadership team this August is Allison Gardner. Allison is serving as District Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education in a newly created role. Allison has worked as a teacher for 15 years, most recently as a Teacher for Indigenous Success – Supporting Indigenous Pedagogy throughout the district and as a Middle School Teacher at the Sumas First Nation Annex School: Semá:th Stó:mex Totí:lta:wtxw.

Allison, Darlene, and Perry look forward to learning and working together to advance Indigenous Education in the Abbotsford School District.

On June 21, 2022, our School Trustees held an Honour and House Post Brushing Ceremony for the new House Posts that will live at the School Board Office. The photo below is a snapshot of Indigenous Education leadership through time in the Abbotsford School District. From left to right - Perry Smith,  Laura Smith, Darlene MacDonald, and Allison Gardner.