student holding a diploma Mamàhtawisiwin: Indigenous Education Policy Framework

Implement Mamàhtawisiwin: The Wonder We Are Born With—An Indigenous Education Policy Framework in partnership with the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council

What's New

On March 29, 2023, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning distributed the Mamàhtawisiwin Tools for Reflection, Planning, and Reporting to Superintendents of School Divisions and to Directors of First Nations Education Authorities. The Tools are designed to provide educators, support staff, and administrators with opportunities for reflection, planning, and reporting in relation to Mamàhtawisiwin’s four primary strategies. One of the final statements contained in the Mamàhtawisiwin policy framework was that “A Self-Assessment Tool and Rubric is forthcoming.” The release of the Mamàhtawisiwin Tools for Reflection, Planning, and Reporting demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to building an Indigenous-inclusive education system and to support educators in deepening their understandings as they progress along a path of Truth and Reconciliation in their schools, classrooms, and communities.


The Commitment

Mamàhtawisiwin includes principles to guide actions at all levels in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system and lays the foundation for an Indigenous-inclusive education system, articulated through four policy directions:

  • Authentic involvement
  • Putting students at the centre
  • Understanding world views, values, identities, traditions, and contemporary lifestyles
  • Inclusive and culturally safe learning environments

What This Means for Manitobans

Manitoba students and parents will see increased focus on engagement of students through authentic connection with families, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers. In engaging with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, there will be a growing focus on mental health and well-being at school, as students and families are encouraged to work with a good heart and mind for learning and relationship building.

Putting students at the centre will allow educators and families to highlight student strengths and to build on those strengths, while supporting literacy and numeracy with Indigenous perspectives at all levels. Being student-centred demonstrates respect for students and families, and acknowledges the diverse needs for understanding worldviews, values, identities, traditions, and contemporary lifestyles in a culturally safe way.

This framework outlines guiding principles, strategies, and actions for closing achievement gaps and realizing improved learning outcomes, not only for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit learners but also for all students in Manitoba.


What We've Done

Orientation sessions have been held with the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents, Council of School Leaders, and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society to advance implementation of the Mamàhtawisiwin policy framework. Additionally, in partnership with the Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium, Mamàhtawisiwin orientation sessions and training for teachers, Indigenous divisional leaders, and superintendents occurred over the course of the following days: October 5, 2022; November 9 & 10, 2022; December 14, 2022; January 25, 2023; and March 1 & 2, 2023. In particular, excerpts of the Mamàhtawisiwin Tools for Reflection, Planning, and Reporting were presented and distributed to rural educators on November 9 and 10, 2022, in Neepawa and Winnipeg, and on March 1 and 2, 2023, complete drafts of the Mamàhtawisiwin Tools were shared in Neepawa and Winnipeg during final orientation sessions where rural educators and administrators were given an extended opportunity to engage with the Tools and reflect upon each of the four strategies found in Mamàhtawisiwin.


Next Steps

  • The Indigenous Inclusion Directorate of Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning will hold five in-person regional orientation sessions for superintendents, school leaders/principals, Indigenous divisional leads, board trustees, and divisional Elders and Knowledge Keepers over March and April 2023 on the Mamàhtawisiwin Tools for Reflection, Planning and Reporting & the Elders and Knowledge Keepers in Schools Initiative Guidelines. In addition to the five in-person sessions, there will be one French language virtual session.

To view the full document, please visit Mamàhtawisiwin: The Wonder We Are Born With — An Indigenous Education Policy Framework.

Advisory Bodies: Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council

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