How a Saskatoon school is trying to close the gap in Indigenous graduation rates

A Saskatoon teacher looking tokeep Indigenous students interested inschool created a program that now has pupils applying year after year.

Candace Gadwa, ahigh school teacher at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon, launched the MAGPIE (Manifest Academic Growth and Promote Indigenous Experience)program four years ago. The program teaches Indigenous history, languages and customs.

MAGPIE offers students land-based learning and opportunitiesto immerse themselves in the fine arts.

Gadwa said she looked to her own experience when designing the program.

"What did I want when I was that age, or what did I need when I was that age?" Gadwasaid in an interview with LeishaGrebinski, host ofCBCSaskatoon's Saskatoon Morning.

Gadwa is Plains Cree and grew up going to powwows. She saidMAGPIE is a dream job for her.

"Everybody has their own individual gifts," she said. "ust having a space where we can nourish that, it's beautiful."

Closing the gap

The latest report from Saskatchewan's auditor shows that fewer than 50 per cent of Indigenous students in the province graduate within three years of starting Grade 10 compared to a 90 per cent graduation rate for non-Indigenous students.

Maximus Fleurysaidthat MAGPIE has changed his education experience.

"I went to a school prior to this, but I had a lot of issues with the staff there and how the staff were handling certain things going on," said Fluery.

The Grade 12 student said positive interactions with staff through MAGPIE havebeen beneficial.

"I feel like it's really helped me to build up more on those social skills that I was previously lacking."

He said he feels the program is preparing himfor entering the workforce.

Autumn Muskego, a Grade 12 student, said her mom signed her up for the MAGPIE program when she entered Grade 10.

She has anxiety and depression and being in MAGPIEhas helped her to open up.

"As soon as I came into this program, Candace was just so awesome," said Muskego.

"She talked to me and helped me open up more andnow I'm just real bubbly and a social butterfly."

Muskego saidlearning about her culture through MAGPIE has been instrumental in her healing journey.

"A lot of ceremonial aspects on culture and life bringing that together and putting that into a classroom is just so awesome for Indigenous youth," said Muskego.