‘Representation is critical,’ experts say in bid for more Indigenous teachers

"If our stories and our representatives from our community aren't being seen in (educational) spaces, then children aren't going to think (teaching) is something that they can do,"

The Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle (WIEC) says, according to 2021-2022 data, Winnipeg schools need almost 1,500 more Indigenous teachers to keep up with the 19.1 per cent of Indigenous students.

These numbers come from WIEC’s third annual State of Equity in Education Report, which adds that out of 54 school board trustees, only eight self-identify as Indigenous. However, Heather McCormick, chair of education and training with WIEC said this is an uptick from two in 2020.

She says these gaps must be filled.

“Representation is critical for Indigenous youth or people of colour. If our stories and our representatives from our community aren’t being seen in (educational) spaces, then children aren’t going to think (teaching) is something that they can do,” she said.

A factor contributing to the shortage of Indigenous educators is that there aren’t many in the first place, she said. “University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg graduate about 35 Indigenous teachers a year,” she said. “We’re still far behind the non-Indigenous community as far as achievement in graduation rates at university.”

To help, incentivizing education programs for Indigenous students with a living allowance and paid-for tuition could be a strategy, McCormick said.

“One of our conversations that we’re having with our stakeholders is to provide funding for the students so that they don’t have to worry about living allowance or paying their rent or food security. They can focus directly on their education and our organization can help with the wraparound services,” she said.

While it wouldn’t provide an immediate solution, she said it’s certainly a step.