Rocky View Schools (RVS) has hired a director of indigenous learning to lead the public school division's new Indigenous Learning branch that was established in May, and will be introduced in September. Cindy Stefanato will take on the new position as of Aug. 15, 2022.
“I think it's a really important role for RVS. We heard from schools a desire to get some dedicated support to be able to help them with their efforts related to truth and reconciliation and also about embedding Indigenous ways of knowing into the classrooms,” said RVS superintendent, Greg Luterbach. “We've been providing that support through a few people, but not having a dedicated team.
“I think moving forward having a dedicated team, which [Stefanato] will lead, is really about providing support for schools, to be able to build strong relationships with local indigenous groups, including Tsuut'ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations and our Métis nations.”
As established through RVS’ 2022-23 budget in May, the new Indigenous Learning branch will be part of RVS’ Learning Department and is tasked with supporting teachers and students in their learning journey towards truth and reconciliation.
Luterbach added that the first year of the branch will focus on establishing relationships between schools, teachers, local first nations, and the community.
Under Stefanato’s leadership, the team will create a menu of support that teachers and schools can call upon.
The branch will build knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history and culture among all students, as well as provide specific support for Indigenous students.
“[Stefanato] is a member of the Fort William First Nation, which is close to Thunder Bay and has lived in that community. [She] came out west and has worked with Calgary Catholic School Division as an education consultant with their Indigenous team, so has done a lot of that work in classrooms with local elders, building First Nation relationships,” Luterbach said. “She's done a lot of that work so we're hoping to be able to leverage her strong relationships and her strong experience to be able to move the branch forward quickly.”
According to an RVS press release, Stefanato joined RVS in 2021 as an assistant principal at Glenbow Elementary School in Cochrane. Prior to that, she served as a teacher, Indigenous education consultant, and assistant principal with the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) starting in 2008.
While in Ontario, she worked as a teacher with the Thunder Bay Catholic School District from 2004 to 2006 and the Durham Catholic District School Board from 2006 to 2008.
“In her four years as an Indigenous education consultant with CCSD, Stefanato mentored teachers in Indigenous Ways of Knowing and supported the success of Indigenous students,” RVS' release states. “She also built connections and relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and the wider Indigenous community in the Treaty 7 Territory.
“Prior to that role, she worked as a district-wide First Nations, Métis and Inuit teacher. Her work in this position included helping teachers understand the Indigenous experience and history in Canada, while also working directly with Indigenous students.”
As guests on Treaty 7 territory, Stefanato and her family have participated in cultural programs and events for the past 15 years and are active members in the Indigenous community.
In the RVS press release, Luterbach noted she has 14 years of experience supporting the success of Indigenous students.
“As the first director of this newly created branch, [Stefanato] will be instrumental in guiding our division as we further our commitment to truth and reconciliation and continue learning about Indigenous Ways of Knowing. I extend my congratulations to [Stefanato] and look forward to her work in this role,” he stated.
Stefanato will be joined by two other RVS staff members in the branch to develop a plan to support truth and reconciliation division-wide, while also responding to teachers’ requests for support.
The team will work with schools and classrooms to invite an Elder or Knowledge Keeper to support learning, listen to stories or engage with traditional practices; expand libraries to include books and materials that are reflective of Indigenous culture; or assist with lesson and assessment planning that incorporates Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
Stefanato holds a master of arts in counselling psychology from Yorkville University, a bachelor of education and a bachelor of arts in political science from Lakehead University, and she completed a two-year program at Confederation College, formerly known as the Native Family Worker program.
