400 teachers and support staff will attend a professional development Learning Day at St. Augustine School in Ponoka tomorrow to celebrate and pay tribute to First Nations, Metis and Inuit culture and improve their learning outcomes.

Many presentations will take place, led by First Nations leaders from the bands making up Maskwacis, Maskwacis Cultural College, Maskwacis Museum and Edmonton Catholic Schools.

Vince Burke with STAR Catholic Schools said it will be much more than just a celebration.

“There will be teepees set up, there will be over 60 sessions for the staff to take part in and it’s really geared towards celebrating First Nations culture and getting different learning techniques so they can improve learning outcomes for First Nations students.”

Burke said one session they’re really looking forward to is the blanket ceremony.

“It’s really just a live action illustration of indigenous people’s interaction with settlers after European settlement. If you have ever the chance to be involved in it, I highly recommend being involved in it.”

The event is being hosted by STAR Catholic Schools, who have partnered up with their community and other First Nations educational partners.

Members of STAR Catholic’s Board of Trustees and Senior Administration will be on hand, as well as Wetaskiwin-Camrose MLA Bruce Hinkley. Gary Gagnon, the Edmonton Catholic School Division Cultural Facilitator, will serve as the keynote speaker.