http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/StateofAboriginalLearning.html

This website contains information on the current initiative of assessing Aboriginal students holistically.  The core focus of the site is the 2009 report whereby a set of criteria for successful Aboriginal learning was created.  Based on the findings of the Canadian Council of Learning, Aboriginal learning environments must be:

• Holistic (focuses on the emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual elements of the individual while stresses the relationship with the Creator)
• Lifelong (Skills that are learned at an early age will be used until old age and transferred to following generations)
• Experiential (Learning activities enable students to make connections to their lived experiences while providing them with opportunities to participate in traditions such as storytelling, meditation, and cultural ceremonies.)
• Aboriginal language and culture must be emphasized during all learning activities.
• Spiritual based (Students must be presented opportunities to partake in spiritual experiences which serve as “the pathways of knowledge”.  Examples of such are ceremonies, vision quests, and dreams.)
• Community based (Education must be supported at the community level by parents, elders, the Aboriginal community as a whole.)
• Incorporates both Aboriginal and Western knowledge. (Activities and educational practices are rooted in the best practices)