Academics

Indigenous Education

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION AT WPGA

Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy (WPGA) has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Living on these remarkable lands has always guided our inherent responsibility, as British Columbians, as stewards of the land, and as educators. 
 
For almost 30 years, WPGA has endeavoured to ensure all students and staff learn the truth about Indigenous peoples and worldviews. We are proud to enrol 20 Indigenous students, having enrolled students from the Musqueam Indian Band over 23 years ago, and deeply value our relational partnerships with Indigenous families at the school.

This knowledge has been strengthened by the focused work of WPGA’s Indigenous Education Steering Committee, Indigenous Education Teacher Working Group, and Diamond Point (Musqueam) and Brittney Townrow (Heiltsuk), Indigenous Education Coordinators, who weave Indigenous history, cultural practices, perspectives, and contemporary realities into our curriculum in intentional, relevant ways. 

In 2021, WPGA published the Indigenous Action Plan, which outlines our commitment to Indigenous learning, curriculum, and partnerships. In 2025, we will publish an updated version to capture our progress and identify future priorities, as we continue to strive to be leaders in Indigenous education, today and for years to come. 
 
"Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain — we must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is just and it is also necessary."

- Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada


   
INDIGENOUS ACTION PLAN

In 2021, as part of the Strategic Plan, we published the Indigenous Action Plan (IAP), which formalizes our active and future commitments to Indigenous education, partnerships and families. The IAP is a long-term work in progress, and we are continually adding curricular initiatives and making space for new ideas and partnerships.

Diamond Point and Brittney Townrow, WPGA Indigenous Education Coordinators, are members of the Musqueam Indian Band and Heiltsuk Nation, respectively, and oversee a vibrant, inclusive program in both Junior and Senior Schools. As members of the school's Indigenous Education Steering Committee, they teach courses including Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12 and Weaving Together 6 as well as collaborate with teachers to deliver Indigenous curriculum that is authentic and age-appropriate. 

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  • IAP PRIORITY #1

    Shared Understanding & Responsibility

    • Host Indigenous experts to educate every member of our school community (Board, Leadership, teachers, staff, students, parents) on Truth and Reconciliation; facilitate dialogue to ensure collective understanding of IAP strategic and curricular objectives.
    • Collaborate with and seek input from the Ministry of Education, UBC, BCIT, First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), other universities, K-12 schools, and Indigenous organizations across Canada and the globe on best practices, programs and partnerships related to Indigenization.
    • Provide teaching and employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
    • Ensure cultural representation on governance and school committees.
    • Invest in representation of Indigenous culture in school facilities and on campus. 

  • IAP PRIORITY #2

    Indigenizing Curriculum Authentically

    In 2019, WPGA established the Indigenous Education Steering Committee, comprising the Board Chair, Head of School, Heads of Junior/Senior Schools, Vice Principals of Learning, and Indigenous Education Coordinator, to oversee curriculum scope and sequence, and to provide direction to the Indigenous Education Teacher Working Group. The goal of the working group is to enrich Ministry curriculum by embedding Indigenous ways of knowing across all grade levels. 
    • Undertake a gap analysis of our curriculum to ensure appropriate inclusion of Indigenous content across all subject areas.
    •  Expand curricular offerings in the Senior School so that Indigenous courses and electives can be offered in the future.
    • Professional Development: Increase each teacher’s understanding and comfort level in teaching Indigenous content; provide support and best practices on teaching curriculum related to Indigenous history, colonization, residential schools, identities and worldviews, etc.
    •  Educate staff and students on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).
    • Create culturally relevant Indigenous learning experiences and opportunities for students at all grade levels, e.g. on-site experiences and local/provincial field trips.
    • Celebrate Indigenous cultural events and activities within our school community, supporting students to be actively involved.

  • IAP PRIORITY #3

    Partnerships & Relationships

    Establish Indigenous Parent Advisory Council (IPAC): Small group of WPGA parents of Indigenous students who meet with School Leadership, in particular the Indigenous Education Steering Committee, to help the school better understand Indigenous perspectives and how to align the school’s Strategic Plan to Indigenous worldviews.
    • Partner with postsecondary institutions to ensure Indigenous learners are aware of pathways, opportunities and resources, and to successfully guide their transition.
    • Provide the resources and support (First Nations Legacy scholarships) for exceptional Indigenous students to access a WPGA education and thrive throughout their school journey.
    • Continue to work with MST Development Corporation to secure WPGA’s long-term lease on the Jericho Lands.


   
AMIR AND YASMIN VIRANI INDIGENOUS ARTIST RESIDENCY

We were proud to introduce the Amir and Yasmin Indigenous Artist in 2024-2025. Rita Kompst, Musqueam Cedar Weaver, was the school’s inaugural Indigenous artist in residence, leading cedar-weaving and natural-dye workshops across all grades. Rita infused her teachings with Musqueam knowledge, history and traditions for an enriched cultural learning experience. 
 


   
DIAMOND POINT
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR, SENIOR SCHOOL 

Diamond, a proud member of the Musqueam Indian Band, is the Indigenous Education Coordinator in the Senior School, where she teaches Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, BC First Peoples 12, and Visual Arts. Passionate about Indigenous curriculum, Diamond’s educational scope includes Indigenous studies, social studies and history, and she is certified in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
 

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    A graduate of the NITEP Indigenous Teacher Education Program in the Faculty of Education at UBC, she will soon complete her Master of Education in Indigenous Education at UBC. Her focus is on providing leadership in shaping Indigenous educational policy, curriculum and programming while fostering greater engagement with non-Indigenous communities and organizations to advance UNDRIP, TRC and DRIPA commitments.
     
    Beyond WPGA, Diamond is a contemporary Coast Salish artist whose work spans graphic design, illustration, site installations, and sculpture. Her art has been featured in public projects across the Lower Mainland, such as collaborations with Vancouver Coastal Health, TransLink, UBC, and the Vancouver Mural Festival as well as in exhibitions at the Museum of Anthropology, Belkin Gallery, and Vancouver Art Gallery. Diamond is honoured to share her Musqueam culture and identity through both education and art.
     
    Diamond graduated from WPGA in 2012 and has a daughter in grade 2 at the school.
BRITTNEY TOWNROW
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR, JUNIOR SCHOOL 

Brittney Townrow is a proud member of the Heiltsuk Nation (Bella Bella, BC) and serves as the Junior School Indigenous Education Coordinator. Through transformative learning experiences, including hands-on activities and Indigenous partnerships, Brittney supports students and educators in learning from the land, community, and Indigenous knowledge keepers.
 

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    Brittney holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum Studies and an Early Years Education Diploma (EYED) specializing in Indigenous knowledge, place-based learning, and land-based pedagogies. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at UBC; her research explores Indigenous education through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach.
     
    At the Junior School, Brittney leads initiatives that weave Indigenous knowledge into the fabric of the school, such as decolonizing the Learning Commons, expanding the Turtle Island Collection, and facilitating professional development for teachers. Her work emphasizes relationality, reciprocity, and authentic inclusion of Indigenous perspectives.
     
    Brittney co-leads the ISABC Indigenous Education Group, collaborating with educators across the province to strengthen Indigenous curricular practices. She is committed to ensuring that WPGA’s Indigenous Education program is not just an initiative but rather an embedded and continuous journey of intentional learning, understanding, and relationship-building.

    Brittney has a daughter in grade 4 at WPGA. 


   

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  • JUNIOR SCHOOL

    BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS

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  • SENIOR SCHOOL

    INSPIRING THE EXTRAORDINARY

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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750