Information for Education Counsellors


Welcome Counsellors! Here you will find information and web resources designed specifically for you! These tools will help your work in supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students with their school, work and home transitions!

ONECA has identified Best Practices for the following:

Web Resources for Education Counsellors

Best Practices Supporting Preschool to Elementary Transitions

  • Celebrate transitions, like daycare graduation, with parent and community involvement
  • Engage parents and community with daycare and elementary school events
  • Help families with financial resources for school materials and extra-curricular activities
  • Participate in family literacy and math centres that promote cultural and linguistic resources
  • Meet the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Counsellor and visit the FNMI department and services/programs
  • Visit Kindergarten (jump ahead day) and community BBQ’s at the schools
  • Programs like “School’s Cool” and other summer break bridging strategies
  • Draft Individual Plans for all students that track academic, social, mental, cultural, language and career development
  • Enroll in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Headstart programs and the Early Years and Screening Identification process
  • Access role models and opportunities in a variety of educational experiences
  • School bus orientation and “ride the big bus days”
  • Consistent home routines (sleep, meals, homework, and play)
  • Connect parents/guardians with support networks and programs (parenting groups, libraries, toy exchanges)
  • Attend cultural events that reaffirm the beauty of culture and language that is essential to identity

Best Practices Supporting Elementary to Secondary Transitions

  • Visit the high school and secondary school tours
  • Meet the teachers and staff BBQ
  • Meet the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Counsellor and visit the FNMI unit and services/programs
  • Mentorship and buddy programs that come to the elementary school to discuss secondary courses, challenges and options (including dual credit courses)
  • Parental and community involvement with events that celebrate transitions (Grade 8 graduation)
  • Orientation to high school extra-curricular activities (social, physical, academic, trips)
  • Help families with financial resources for school materials and extra-curricular activities
  • Organize shared events between elementary and secondary
  • Workshops and tips on academic success
  • Access to role models and career events
  • Career guidance plans at the elementary level that drive secondary course selection
  • Take students to high school in August to locate classes before the academic year begins
  • Consistent home routines (sleep, meals, homework, play)
  • Connect parents/guardians with support networks and programs (parenting associations, libraries, recreational)
  • Attend cultural events and connect with Elders that reaffirm First Nations, Métis and Inuit identity

Best Practices Supporting Secondary to Post-Secondary Transitions

  • Excursions to post-secondary institutions that are live or web-based
  • Attend cultural, social and academic events at colleges and universities
  • Meet the staff and orientate to services at the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Units at colleges/universities
  • Parental and community involvement with transition events (Grade 12 graduation)
  • Develop a career pathway plan for students that involves the secondary guidance department and potential post-secondary institutions
  • Offer workshops on bursaries and scholarships available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
  • Host an application for post-secondary funds/sponsorship to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
  • Academic skills, resources, training and services
  • Research and familiarity with programs and services available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in the city or town or location of school
  • Personalized tours of college/university that identifies students location of classes, cafeteria, library and other essential services
  • Mentorship and buddy programs that link students to a support network

Best Practices Supporting Transitions between Institutions

  • Meet the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Counsellor and visit the FNMI unit and services/programs at the location
  • Ensure that credits are transferable between institutions
  • Offer workshops on bursaries and scholarships
  • Plans on achieving a career pathway and various options
  • Virtual and live tours of college and/or university
  • Mentorship opportunities for additional support
  • Academic skills, resources, training and services

Best Practices Supporting Transitions to Work

  • Cover letters, resumes and Curriculum Vitae (CV) workshops
  • Interview skills and mock interviews
  • Job search resources and web-based engines
  • Essential skills in the workplace information
  • Balancing work, life and/or school info
  • Volunteering resources and options
  • Mentorship opportunities info sessions
  • Placements and internships info sessions
  • Apprenticeship possibilities
  • Financial planning workshops
  • Small business opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit workshops

Best Practices Supporting Transitions to Home

Often, First Nations, Métis and Inuit students experience various forms of culture shock. Culture shock refers to feeling “out of place”, “not fitting in” or feeling “disoriented.” These experiences can happen when students leave their communities to go school. Culture shock can also be experienced when a student returns to their home community after being away for a period of time. To support FNMI students:

  • Contact with support network at home to inform of potential “culture shock”
  • Help students develop a plan to return home (living arrangements, supports, financial, social, cultural)
  • Arrange a “welcome home” event for students
  • Debriefing sessions with students
  • Creation of support groups (live and online) for students returning home
  • Connections with Elders and cultural resource people
  • Partner student with health, wellness, educational and social resources at home

Additional Resources