First aboriginal teacher in North Vancouver district wins award
Brad Baker is being awarded an indigenous educator leadership on Thursday
When the North Vancouver School District hired Brad Baker in 1995, he had no idea that he was the district's first aboriginal teacher.
Over the past two decades, Baker has worked to bring aboriginal culture into BC schools. That work is now being recognized nationally.
On Thursday Baker is receiving an indigenous educator leadership award in Toronto.
"It's a feather in the cap for what we're trying to do in North Van school district with our aboriginal kids," he told Stephen Quinn, host of CBC Vancouver's On The Coast.
Baker said he wanted to become a teacher because he saw the struggles his father experienced in residential school, as well as what his aunts and uncles experienced living on a reserve. "I wanted my generation and the future generations of aboriginal kids to have a better experience in our school system. "
He has built a number of programs aimed at bringing aboriginal culture into the classroom, including a language program.
"It's not only for our aboriginal kids. It's for all kids in the North Vancouver School District," he said.
Baker, who is now a principal in the district, said, "I hope I am a role model for them, but also I want them to be able to see that aboriginal students can be successful in today's society."