Build From Within students on path to success to become teachers

Winnipeg School Division believes that when students see themselves in the people around them, they’re inspired to succeed. 

In 2018, WSD launched the only program of its kind to exist in Canada, called Build From Within or Ozhitoon Onji Peenjiiee. This Indigenous teacher development program brings together Winnipeg School Division, the Faculty of Education at University of Winnipeg, Indspire Canada and other service providers to develop a path for Indigenous high school students to become teachers.

While still in high school, students complete their high school diploma and their Educational Assistant Diploma. They carry on to complete their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Winnipeg. The academically rigorous seven-year program starts in Grade 11 and features classroom internships as well as cultural, familial, mentorship, employment and financial supports.

“The students are the strength of the program. The Build From Within staff supports the important growth of mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical facets of a healthy and balanced life. The students and staff are dedicated to change the landscape of education by bringing their life experiences to the front of the classroom and support children in their growth. Teaching is reciprocal, we learn from students as much as they learn from us,” shared Rob Riel, assistant superintendent of Indigenous education in WSD.

Today, Build From Within is gaining national attention as a way to build on Indigenous students’ unique strengths and experiences to create competent and motivated teachers who are passionate about their work. Currently, there are three cohorts of students in the Build From Within program who are all working toward the same goal—becoming a teacher.

Cason Smith, a student in the program, says he is focused on what he needs to do to become a professional educator so that he can help make a difference, one student at a time.

“My favourite part of working in a school is seeing the kids happy, that’s why I want to be a teacher. You’re helping build connections with the next generation, you’re helping them along their way. This stage—it’s like a bird, you get to see and help your students fly,” shared Smith. 

All three cohorts of WSD students in the program are currently in full-time university and continue to be supported through Build From Within at their designated space within Niji Mahkwa School. Each week, the students have time to connect with the three program teachers as well as each other for support. 

Having the space inside Niji Nahkwa School provides an excellent opportunity for mentorship and role model opportunities as well as teaching experience with WSD students. Build From Within also provides professional development opportunities, such as a recent trip to Montreal for the 2023 Indspire’s 2023 National Gathering for Indigenous Education.

“Build From Within emphasizes the importance of community and team building. Taking the group to Montreal was an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships. The Build From Within students had an opportunity to attend a professional education conference, network with other future educators and attend learning sessions that focus on infusing our Indigenous ways in school systems. The students appreciated being able to connect with other Indigenous people beyond Manitoba, to hear other Indigenous languages and increase their knowledge of Indigenous diversity in Canada,” shared Desi-Rae Anderson, Build From Within program coordinator.

Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. This conference helps ensure students are fully engaged and excited about their learning, while connecting with Indigenous educators and future educators around Canada. 

Rainey Raven, a student in cohort two, who is currently in their third year of university, shared the importance of building connections not just in Manitoba, but across Canada. “We are thankful for this experience (Indspire conference) and I was excited to meet other future Indigenous educators across Canada on the same journey as us. I was proud to share about our program and hear about theirs. We are all at different stages and were able to easily relate and connect to each other.”

With all three cohorts of students in the program currently in university, Winnipeg School Division will soon be recruiting cohort four in the new year.

“I’m honoured to announce Build From Within's fourth cohort (consisting of current Grade 11 and Grade 12 Indigenous WSD students) will start on their educational journey to become teachers in the fall of 2024 with recruitment planned to begin January 2024,” said Riel.