Walking Together

Over the past four years, the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) at the University of Alberta has made bold strides to expand access to teacher education for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. Through culturally grounded pathways—like PLAR recognition for Indigenous language speakers, Open Studies routes, and flexible part-time options—ATEP has graduated nearly 150 Indigenous teachers since 2021, with another 70 set to cross the stage in Fall 2025.

Now, ATEP is taking the next step: ensuring that these future teachers can bring their full selves into K-12 classrooms—and be supported in doing so.

A Wholistic, Culturally Grounded Expansion

With support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Indigenous Teacher Education(ITE) Initiative, ATEP will deepen and expand its programming through three core components:

• Kinship Connections that link students with community, mentors, and Elders;
• Place-Based Experiential Learning that grounds coursework in land, ceremony, and local knowledge;
• Relational Reciprocity, rooted in the Cree values of wîcihitowin (sharing), manâhcihitowin (respect), and mêskotônamâtowin (reciprocity), which animate the spirit of walking alongside each other.

These pillars will form a powerful community of practice, supporting 75ATEP students per year, strengthening relationships with 200 school administrators, mentor teachers, and in-service educators, and ultimately producing 300 certified Indigenous teachers equipped with cultural confidence and practical support.

Changing Systems from Within

ATEP students often face challenges translating the Indigenous pedagogies and knowledges they gain into practice within mainstream school systems. This project directly addresses that gap by fostering school environments where Indigenous worldviews are understood, respected, and integrated.

By building relationships with non-Indigenous mentors and school leaders, and engaging them in cultural learning, ATEP is not only graduating teachers, it’s creating systemic change.

Why it Matters – A Model for Teacher Education Across Canada

This initiative reflects a bold, values-driven model for teacher education, one where Indigenous identity, language, and land-based teachings are at the heart of how future educators learn and grow.

Through wîcihitowin and manâhcihitowin, ATEP is walking with students, communities, and partners toward a future where Indigenous educators are empowered to thrive in the classroom, and where Indigenous students see themselves reflected in their schools, their teachers, and their curriculum.

This support will not only equip our Indigenous teacher candidates, but will also enhance the learning environments for all students across Alberta. Representation matters. Indigenous teachers bring language, culture, and lived experience into the classroom, elements that are essential for reconciliation and true educational equity.

~ Dr. Evelyn Steinhauer, ATEP Director & Associate Dean, Faculty of Education

Learn More

Explore how Indigenous communities across the country are leading education transformation.

This is just one of many regions taking bold steps. Read more about other ITE grant recipients.