Information for Other Professionals

Welcome Other Professionals! Here you will find information and web resources designed specifically for you!  These tools will help you support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students as they make the transitions between different stages of school, work and home!

Below you will see best practices on how to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students in school transitions at all levels.

Web Resources for Other Professionals

Best Practices in supporting FNMI students

There are many ways to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) student transitions from preschool through to post-secondary. The key is to build relationships through time, trust and respect. Many FNMI students and their communities are healing from a history of hurt (colonization and residential schools). The effects of this history can often deter FNMI students and peoples from trusting external individuals and organizations. Building relationships is about genuine learning between all individuals.

  • Get to know FNMI students by finding out who they are and how they self-identify (culture, home, language, way of life)
  • Find out the FNMI territory that your place of work is currently located in. Is your school or organization in the lands of the Ojibwe? The Haudenosaunee? Try learning basic greetings and protocols and using them
  • Develop a relationship with your local Indian Friendship Centre, band or FNMI group
  • Make connections to the communities and parents/guardians by attending events and/or celebrations
  • Contact the FNMI Education Counsellor and unit at the community, secondary school, or post-secondary institution; find out how you can be involved in the FNMI community (possibly mentorship)
  • Infuse FNMI content into the curriculum in a respectful manner and in the environment (signage in the local languages, resources that are FNMI created)
  • Share “who you are” with FNMI students and communities. This does not necessarily mean your credentials. FNMI communities want to have a personal connection with you (culture, family, hobbies)
  • Collaborate on the planning of events for FNMI students with various schools and organizations when presented with an opportunity
  • Become aware of the variety of resources, support services and networks that are available to FNMI students; this site is a great place to start

To learn more about specific student transitions, go back to the HOMEPAGE and select a specific “Transition” level (examples: Preschool to Elementary, Elementary to Secondary, Secondary to Post-Secondary, Post-Secondary to Post-Secondary, School to Work, Post-Secondary to Home).  Each transition level has information that is specific to that particular stage and includes best practices and video resources.

To gain a different perspective on student transition strategies, explore our HOMEPAGE by reviewing the content areas for Education Counsellors, Students, Parents/Guardians, and Communities.

Additional Resources