Education

Education Services Catalogue

2025–2026 Program Year | Dr. Edward Mirasty, Director of Education

Available to All PAGC Member First Nations — K–12 Schools & Education Authorities

Overview

It has been ten years since the Education Transformation took place, and each First Nation is at varying levels of Indigenization. Over the past decade, the Grand Council's Education office has progressed from second-level to third-level services — now encompassing the creation of original curricula, language revitalization resources, and professional workshops. The Treaty and Inherent Right to Education has evolved alongside the direct transfer of funding from tribal councils and school boards to First Nations.

Dr. Mirasty is extending services across all PAGC member nations with the goal of improving student learning outcomes by recruiting professional teachers and administrators as contractors to assist communities in restoring languages, enhancing achievement, and connecting graduates to employment.

Director of Education

Dr. Edward Mirasty

Director of Education

emirasty@pagc.net

(306) 953–7234

Prince Albert Grand Council

Role & Responsibilities
Participates in Grand Council, Band Government, and assembly meetings for K–12 education Develops and assesses strategic planning for schools to meet community needs Prepares and provides reports to the Education Chiefs Commission and Council of Chiefs Maintains working relationships with Ministry of Learning, INAC, FSIN, and other Tribal Councils

Core Education Services

1. Language Programming & Evaluation

Develop language and culture programming curricula in collaboration with Dene/Cree/Dakota First Nations
Assist with planning and organizing staff development for language and culture teachers
Provide school visits and in-community support for Dene/Cree/Dakota language programs
Develop and produce literature, workbooks, and teaching resources for language and culture programs
Identify and compile templates to assess speaking, reading, and writing in Dene/Cree/Dakota
Provide ongoing support in curriculum actualization, unit/lesson planning, and teaching strategies
Facilitate professional development activities on Dene/Cree/Dakota language and culture programming
Provide translation services for Elders, as needed

2. Treaty Curriculum

Develop Treaty Curricula in collaboration with Treaty First Nations and the Office of the Treaty Commission
Assist teachers in identifying best practices for teaching and student assessment in Treaty Curriculum
Plan and organize Treaty Curriculum meetings
Support Treaty curricula, instructional materials, and activities for PAGC First Nations schools
Ensure relevant teaching materials are available for current and traditional Treaty knowledge
Assist teachers with Treaty program planning, implementation, and evaluation
Facilitate workshops on Treaty programs that meet the needs of First Nations
Attend cultural events and culture camps upon request by a First Nation

3. Special Education

PAGC Education will contract First Nations Special Education specialists to assist schools with:

Individual Education Plan (IEP) support and development
Adapting and modifying for students with special needs — Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies
Special education assessment support
Teacher assistant training and certification
Life Space Crisis Intervention training
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Reading intervention support through Fast ForWord and Earobics
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Teambuilding, Turning Down the Heat, The Angry Smile programs

4. K–12 School & Education Authority Evaluations

Prepare and conduct overall school appraisals including Education Authorities on behalf of each First Nation
Evaluate programs on a continual basis, including policies, procedures, and priority activities
Pre-conferencing and professional expectations
Principal appraisals
High school program approval and student tracking
Teacher certification review

5. Curriculum & Instruction

First Nations content and perspectives alignment in planning, instruction, and assessment
Program studies development support and review
Teacher support on Saskatchewan's renewed curriculum
Teacher professional development

Contracted Specialist Services

The following specialist teams are contracted by PAGC Education to work directly in member First Nation schools and communities. Each position is available upon request.

Specialist	Services Provided
Early Literacy Specialist	Balanced literacy programming (Saskatchewan Reads): reading & writing strategies, early literacy assessments (Brigance/Running Records), oral language development, Daily 5 and guided reading, literacy-rich classroom environment, virtues training, year/unit/lesson planning for early years.
Assessment Specialist	Formative assessments for Grade 1–4 Numeracy and Literacy; workshops/in-services for FNSSP program; audits of school-based special education programs.
Education Psychologist Team	Consultations and assessments for students with special needs; training and support for teachers working with designated students; sharing and gathering data from students, parents, and school staff; case management meeting participation.
Education Physiotherapy Team	Consultations and assessments for students with special needs; training and support for teachers; data sharing with students, parents, and staff; case management participation; assistive device recommendations for orthopaedic/mobility needs; direct therapy services.
Speech & Language Team	Consultations and assessments in speech and language; training and support for teachers; case management participation; direct therapies for PAGC students with speech and language needs; development of case plans and home-based intervention supports.
Education Audiologist	Consultations and assessments for students with special needs; hearing screens for early years students in PAGC schools; recommendations and supports for students who are deaf or hard of hearing; intensive assessments for hearing loss; review/approval of Hearing Impairment funding category applications; purchase and maintenance facilitation of assistive hearing devices.
Mental Health Therapy	Contractual positions working directly with students identified by schools as needing mental health supports; consultations, assessments, and therapies for PAGC students; training and support for teachers working with designated students.
Occupational Therapist	Consultations and assessments for students with special needs; recommendations and supports for students with sensory and/or behavioural issues; direct work with students affected by FASD, Autism, or sensory challenges; self-regulation support for students with behavioural challenges; environmental classroom support recommendations; assistive technology recommendations for students with intensive needs.

Contact Information

Bobby Bird Memorial Awards

Click here to Submit the Application Online

Eligible First Nations students from the twelve-member nations of Prince Albert Grand Council may apply for this award.

One student each from Grade 7-12 will be recognized and honored for achievements and academic success for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Bobby Bird Memorial Awards were established in honor of the late Bobby Bird, who was actively involved in politics.

He served as Councilor of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and was a strong supporter of education of First Nations youth.

ELIGIBILITY

One student in each of the Grades 7-12 will be selected with the following requirements.
Are nominated by teachers or guidance counselors,
Attained a strong grade point average,
Is a First Nation member from one of the PAGC First Nations: (Black Lake Denesuline Nation, Fond du Lac Denesuline Nation, Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Red Earth Cree Nation, Cumberland House Cree Nation, Wahpeton Dakota Nation, James Smith First Nation, Sturgeon Lake First Nation.)
Was a full-time student in their respective grade.
Grades 10-12 inclusive must have official Saskatchewan Ministry transcripts.

AWARDS

Monetary values of these awards are as follows:

Grade 12-$1500,00 Grade 9-$500.00

Grade 11-$1000.00 Grade 8-$500.00

Grade 10- $800.00 Grade 7-$500.00

CRITERIA:

The awards are based on the following eight categories using a point system.

Academic achievement Effort

Attendance Athletics

First Nation Language Special talent/Activities

Traditional Cultural Skills Community Services

Documentation is Required (See below)

Teachers and guidance counselors are to submit names of nominees and include the following information:

Official Entry form.
Grade marks.
Attendance records.
A letter of support from a teacher, guidance counsellor or administrator
A personal letter from the nominee.

Submissions are to be filled out online at:

edu.pagc.sk.ca/bobbybird

For support, email: Vince Brittain (vbrittain@pagc.net)

Deadline Date: September 15th,2025

Book Catalog

All books are available for purchase at www.amazon.ca.
To view a title, click the ISBN number below or you can search by title, ISBN, or author (either Edward Mirasty or Vince Brittain).
Available titles are:

	ISBN	Book Title
	978-1-989840-44-3	30 Years of Fine Arts (ENGLISH)
	978-1-989840-53-5	30 Years of Fine Arts 1992-2022 CREE VERSION
	978-1-989840-54-2	Tononą Nene Sekui Bets’į holį Nosohła (30 Years of Fine Arts – DENE Version)
	978-1-989840-59-7	A Horse for Pansy (ENGLISH)
	978-1-989840-58-0	ē-nitawēyimāt pansy mistatimwā (A horse for Pansy – CREE Version)
	978-1-989840-56-6	Telling the Truth (ENGLISH)
	978-1-989840-57-3	Nihithawascikiwin Ka-tapwicik (Telling the Truth – CREE Version)
	978-1-989840-60-3	ʔOhodi ghą dolni (Telling the Truth – DENE Version)
	978-1-989840-61-0	Wicaka oyaka (Telling the Truth – DAKOTA Version)
	978-1-989840-55-9	Telling the Truth Teacher’s Handbook (ENGLISH)
	978-1-989840-67-2	Myths and Legends of the Woodland Cree (ENGLISH)