We will achieve equity of outcomes for Indigenous learners in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. We will continue to examine our environments, structures, and practices to identify and address barriers. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships with First Nation communities as rightsholders and collaborate with community partners who support Indigenous children and youth and their families. We will embed learning about Indigenous culture, perspectives, and language in the daily experience of learners in our schools. Some examples of the work of our plan are:
- District-wide staff learning about Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous culture, Circle of Courage and trauma-informed practice
- Planned school-wide culture learning aligned with calendar of local cultural seasonal activities
- Visible language and culture across schools (Knowledge keepers in schools, ceremony, welcome signage, elders posters)
- Review of school libraries and resource collections and additional funding for Authentic First Peoples Resources
- Recognizing cultural learning in community with graduation program credits (local Independent Directed Study framework)
- Meaningful engagement of schools and district in Local Education Agreements (LEA)
- Re-engagement with Equity in Action
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER for equity for Indigenous students and learning about local Indigenous culture for all students and staff:
Starting in Circle
Cataline Elementary
Our first full day at Cataline began with all students and staff in circle on our beautiful field! Our language and culture teachers, Mrs. Charley and Spotted Fawn, drummed and sang to welcome students back into the building and start in a good way.
Connection, Collaboration and Creativity
Cataline Elementary
A team united! Staff from Marie Sharpe, Cataline, Nesika, Chilcotin Road, and Support Services joined together on September 8 to engage in various learning experiences. Hoop dancing, drumming, Lahal, medicine bags, and orange shirt pins kept staff movin’ and groovin’ throughout the school grounds.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Cataline Elementary
On June 19, Cataline students participated in a day of celebration and learning. During National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), seven Cataline Elementary classes participated in the local NIPD celebrations around Williams Lake.
2026 Cataline Blanketing Ceremony
Cataline Elementary
On June 11, 2026, Cataline Elementary hosted a powerful Blanketing Ceremony to honour local Residential School Survivors. In partnership with the Orange Shirt Society and with the tremendous support of volunteers from the Williams Lake Quilting Club, students designed and created seven beautiful
May Indigenous Learning with Secwepemc Culture Teachers
Cataline Elementary
Students in grade 3 & 4 were fortunate to have Ms. Sonya Charley and Mrs. Irene Charley, Secwepemc Language and Culture teachers, share their traditional knowledge and teachings.
Hoop Making with Our Resident Elders
Cataline Elementary
With the knowledge, wisdom, and guidance of school resident elders Perry Alexander and Sheila Gilpin, Cataline students were honoured with the opportunity to make hoops for our school to be used during our traditional hoop-dancing lessons and learning. Mr. Alexander and Mrs.
Grade 5 Rattles
Cataline Elementary
With the guidance and knowledge of Cecil Sheena and Val West from WLFN Culture & Language team, grade 5 students had the opportunity to complete their traditional rattle project, learning about the cultural significance of the rattle, as well as the traditional materials that were used to create
National Indigenous Languages Day
Cataline Elementary
National Indigenous Languages Day, observed annually on March 31, is a significant occasion dedicated to honouring and celebrating the rich linguistic heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada.
Grade 6 Drum Making 2026
Cataline Elementary
Grade 6 students have begun preparing and making their traditional Indigenous drums. This annual project is a highlight for our grade 6 students; symbolizing a right of passage, as they design and create their drum which will be gifted during their grade 6 leaving ceremony.
Indigenous Tea
Cataline Elementary
With the guidance and knowledge of Dancing Water Sandy and Mrs. Alphonse, grade 3 students at Cataline Elementary had the opportunity to learn about tradition Indigenous teas.
Ribbon Shirt & Dress Project Completed!
Cataline Elementary
Ms. Sonya Charley’s Secwepemc Language students completed their traditional ribbon shirts and dress project, displaying their garments with pride. While learning traditional language and embroidering, this amazing craftsmanship focused on combining Secwepemc tradition and school-coloured themes,
Cataline Students Attend Thomas Dueck Pow Wow
Cataline Elementary
Many Cataline students were lucky enough to attend the Annual Thomas Dueck Pow Wow at Columneetza on Fri Jan 30th. Students had just completed two weeks of hoop dancing practice at school and were invited to put it to use at the pow wow.
Hoop Dancing
Cataline Elementary
All students at Cataline had the opportunity to learn hoop dancing with Elders Perry and Sheila. From beginners to experts, every one had an opportunity to engage in their own way. Students enjoyed the music and teaching and learning with each other.
Making Jingle Dresses and Grass Skirts
Cataline Elementary
Students are working with language and culture teachers Ms. Sonya and Ms. Charley on jingle dresses and grass skirts. Every student has been adding a string to the grass skirt so that each child is represented. Students enjoyed trying on the jingle dresses and learning about how and why they jingle!
Ribbon Shirts
Cataline Elementary
Led by Ms. Sonya Charley, students in her Secwepemc class have begun designing and sewing ribbon shirts, using Cataline colours connecting student to school. The students continue to demonstrate mastery and independence.
AIS - Beka Solo
Cataline Elementary
Our intermediate students are lucky enough to be working with local artist, Beka Solo, on song writing, rhyme, and rhythm this month. This meets various curricular and core competencies objectives in art, music, literacy, personal awareness as well as identity.
Hoop Dancing with Cataline School Resident Elders
Cataline Elementary
With knowledge and guidance from Mrs. Gilpin and Mr. Alexander, some Cataline students had the opportunity to learn the traditions and art of Tŝilhqot’in hoop dancing. These students will be spending time learning the dance from and with Mr.
Talking Sticks and Key Chains
Cataline Elementary
Ms. Sonya Charley's Secwepemc classes completed their projects with great success. Classes displayed their projects with pride. Mastery and Independence on display!
Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Cataline Elementary
Early this school year, students have participated in various Indigenous learning opportunities supported by our Indigenous Support workers, Mrs. Grieve and Mrs. Bauerochse, as well Secwepemc teachers Ms. Sonya and Mrs. Charley.
Tŝilhqot’in Elders at Cataline
Cataline Elementary
Cataline Elementary students and teachers were honoured to welcome Tŝilhqot’in elders, Mrs. Gilpin and Perry to Cataline. Mrs. Gilpin and Perry generously passed on their knowledge of drumming to the students, highlighting the significance of the medicine wheel with in their Tŝilhqot’in culture, as
Student of the Week Focuses on Seven Sacred Teachings
Cataline Elementary
Cataline continues to recognize our student of the week in one of the areas of the seven sacred teachings. Through this, we can make indigenous learning more visible and demonstrates to our learning community how we can incorporate these teachings into every day learnings.
National Week of Truth and Reconciliation
Cataline Elementary
In honouring The National Week of Truth and Reconciliation, Cataline students participated in various learning and reflecting opportunities. From learning the traditional and ceremonial significance of smudging to the Indigenous peoples, to participating in singing and drumming, students were
Smudging Offering
Cataline Elementary
Throughout the week, in honour of National Truth and Reconciliation, Cataline students were offered the opportunity to participate in a smudging practice that involves cleansing, grounding, and creating balance. Led by Ms.
Cataline Attends Orange Shirt Day in Botanio Park
Cataline Elementary
Over 125 students from Cataline attended Orange Shirt Day in the park on Sept 26th. All our students really enjoyed engaging with the learning stations in addition to presentations on the main stage. This was an important opportunity to make learning relevant and connected to our communities.
Cataline Welcomes Students Back with Drumming
Cataline Elementary
Cataline students were lucky to experience a welcome back drum song and well wishes from William on WLFN’s cultural team. Our whole school gathered on the blacktop in our new class groupings to start the year in the best way. Kukwstéc-kuc from Cataline, William!
Indigenous Peoples Day Smudging
Cataline Elementary
During Indigenous Peoples Day, Cataline Elementary students were invited to participate in smudging, as introduced by Cataline Indigenous support workers, Jen Bauerochse and Amy Grieve. For most of the students, this was the first time they had participated in this cultural experience.
Blanketing Ceremony
Cataline Elementary
Cataline Elementary school, with the help from The Orange Shirt Society & WLFN, was honoured to host their second blanketing ceremony where students gifted beautiful and personal blankets to residential school survivors.
Cultural Experiences in Esk’et
Cataline Elementary
Four classes, with the help of FNEC, travelled to Esk’et to participate in a sweat experience. Students also learned to make tobacco ties, drummed, and spent time on the land.
Gifting of Quilts
Cataline Elementary
Three classes at Cataline, with the help of the quilters guild, presented their quilts to residential school survivors in a whole school ceremony. The students observed blankets being smudged, drumming, and listened to stories from survivors.
Stick Games
Cataline Elementary
Cataline Secwepemc Language and Culture teacher, Ms. Sonya has been working with our primary students as they learn traditional Indigenous stick games, preparing for interclass competitions. The students are truly enjoying the strategy and competitive spirit of the games. They’re having fun too!
Spring Drumming
Cataline Elementary
With the weather warming up, it's nice to take the students outside to learn and showcase their drumming and the knowledge they are learning during our Secwepemc classes. Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs.
Grade 6 Drum Making
Cataline Elementary
Grade 6 students at Cataline Elementary have begun making their drums to showcase around the school before taking them home during their Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony.
Cataline Makes Bannock
Cataline Elementary
With the support of our language teachers, Ms. Sonya Charley and Ms. Irene Charley, intermediate students enjoyed making and cooking bannock. Students shared the bannock they made with their primary friends as well as staff. It was a great treat enjoyed by all!
Stick Games
Cataline Elementary
Whether in kindergarten or grade 6, Cataline students are quickly learning the art of playing Indigenous stick games. With the guidance and teachings from Ms. Sonya Charley and Mrs. Irene Charley, students have been introduced to game of Lahal.
Building Peer Relationships
Cataline Elementary
Using the resources provided by our Indigenous Education Department, students at Cataline have been working in small cross-grade groups, building community and fostering peer relationships.
Cataline’s Student of the Week
Cataline Elementary
This year, we changed our student of the week program to recognize students in an area of the seven sacred teachings. Each staff member picks a student throughout the year who exemplifies one of the teachings. Students are supported with a gift card from our PAC to the open book!
Drumming Preparation
Cataline Elementary
With the knowledge gained from Mrs. Charley and Mr. Favelle, Ms. Bonnell has begun this year teaching (and reviewing) her grade 4/5 class traditional drumming in preparation for morning walks at Cataline Elementary.
School-Wide Bannock
Cataline Elementary
With the guidance of our guest, Sonya Charley, and the support of Cataline’s Indigenous Support Worker, Jennifer Bauerochse, students had the opportunity to make traditional Bannock during Mrs. Charley’s Language and Culture class. Various classes were able to follow the direction of Mrs.
Smoking Salmon
Cataline Elementary
Under the direction of Cataline’s ISW, Jennifer Bauerochse and Language and Culture teacher, Mrs. Charley, Cataline students learned about the traditional methods of cleaning, preparing and smoking salmon.
Engaging with Indigenous Authors
Cataline Elementary
Cataline elementary students were treated to virtual Indigenous author readings during National Truth and Reconciliation week. Having registered for various events, Cataline students were able to sit comfortably within their classrooms or gymnasium and listen virtually to authors, such as Phyllis