On October 18, 2023, the Board of Trustees hosted their first-ever meeting with the representatives from the Maskwacis Education School Commission, to share information and to build mutually beneficial relationships.

A key strategic priority for the Board is to engage with elected officials and educational partners to enhance public education and respect the diversity of our communities.

“The Board’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation has provided many learning opportunities in the past year,” said Board Chair Esther Eckert. “Meeting with the Board of Governors of the Maskwacis Education School Commission was an important opportunity to establish a relationship with a neighboring school board whose focus is the education of Indigenous students. We explored ideas for partnering with their division and students to share our cultures and gain a better understanding of one another.”

“What a wonderful evening!” said Trustee Devonna Klaassen. “It was an excellent evening of relationship building and learning. I appreciated how inspiring it was to share our core purposes and values with one another, and to form connections based on the areas in which we overlap.”

Members of both school boards gave permission to their respective administrations to work together and explore opportunities for collaboration and future partnerships, such as Maskwacis students attending the upcoming Calmar Collegiate School for apprenticeship training and trades placements, mutual teacher and student exchange projects, joint sports initiatives, and inviting each other to special events to promote cross-cultural understanding.

“This was a great evening for education in Black Gold and Maskwacis,” said Trustee Gary Hansen. “The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ideas of cooperation that would be mutually beneficial to students in both jurisdictions, and we look forward to seeing the results of this cooperative spirit.”