Saskatoon

Province gives schools grants to improve First Nations literacy, graduation rates

The Prairie Spirit School Division announced Thursday it received two provincial grants to support ongoing partnership work with local First Nations communities.

Prairie Spirit School Division partners with Muskeg Lake First Nation and Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation

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The Prairie Spirit School Division announced Thursday it received two provincial grants to support an ongoing partnership with local First Nations communities.

The Invitational Shared Services Initiative grants are worth a total of $150,000 per year for up to three years. The goal is to have First Nations students living on reserves benefit from the same supports as students living off reserve.

A partnership already exists between the school division, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, and Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. The communities have set goals in the areas of improving literacy, numeracy, and graduation rates.

"We believe this funding will support improved learning for all students," said Kim Beaulieu, learning superintendent for the school division, in a release.

The school division added the grants will be used for supplies, salaries, and professional development.

The provincial government established these grants last year to support improved outcomes for First Nations and Métis students.