The Bruce Grey Catholic Board and Bluewater District School Boards have come out with their first ever First Nations, Metis and Inuit Guide for staff.
Guiding the Way Project Coordinator Rona Lynn Ferguson says it took a year to put the fifty-four page document together.
The guide is designed to ensure all staff have a basic understanding of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people, including their history, culture and traditions.
This she says will also mean more first people literature and art within the schools to provide students with a clearer representation of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Culture.
Ferguson hopes this will create a sense of pride among students especially those with a First Nations, Metis or Inuit background.
Ferguson says the school boards want these students to embrace their heritage and share its richness with their school.
Catholic School Board Native Trustee Randy Roote calls the Guide a good step.
He says if it is used the way it is intended, it should go a long way in helping the schools gain a better understanding and appreciation of first nations students and the issues they are dealing with.
In-servicing on the guide for all staff will get underway soon.
The guide was a collaborative effort between the two local school boards as well as representatives from the Chippewa of Nawash, Saugeen First Nations as well as members of the Metis Nation.
