The Outdoor Learning Space: A Collaborative Project Between Valley View School & Ian Bazalgette School

1. Our Commitment: Heart and Body

At Valley View School, our Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) commitment is more than words; it is a lived experience centered around two pillars:

• Heart (To Belong): Building an understanding of Indigenous community values like reciprocity and respect.
• Body (To Do): Engaging our community to learn about the land and making active commitments through the CBE Land Acknowledgement.

Truth and Reconciliation Commitment | 2025-2026

2. Wisdom from the Start: Consulting Elder John Snow

Before a single stone was moved, we sat with Elder John Snow from Stoney Nakoda. He offered a challenge that shaped our entire process:

Elder John asked us:

• Do the students know and understand the Calls to Action?
• What will the students embrace with respect to these calls?
• How will this space facilitate teachings from the Blackfoot, Cree, and Stoney tribes?
• How can this space be the curriculum itself (Language, Games, Program)?

Ian Bazalgette School also sought guidance from Elder Turning Robe from Siksika Nation, and Elder Saa’kokoto from the Blood Tribe (Kainai). Both Elders gave feedback on the design of the learning space.

3. The Design Thinking Process: Driven by Students

Following the Elder’s advice, we used a Design Thinking model—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. We asked students what an outdoor learning space should Look, Sound, and Feel like.

Outdoor Learning Space

The Student Vision:

• Plant & Animal Relations: Bird baths, birdhouses, and planting Aspens.
• Language Presence: Greetings and plant names in Blackfoot, Stoney, and Cree.
• A Quiet Calm: Shaded areas with circular seating made of stumps and rocks.
• Cultural Play: Space for traditional games and interactive demonstrations.
• Community Care: A shared responsibility for the land between Valley View and Ian Bazalgette neighbors.

Prototype Examples:

4. From Ideas to Action: The Project Goals

This collaborative project is designed to be a "living classroom" that helps us:

1. Observe local plants, animals, and natural features.
2. Share teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
3. Honor the cultural significance and history of this specific land.
4. Connect with one another in a welcoming, outdoor setting.

5. Milestones & Success

We are proud to share our progress:

• Collaboration: Joint sessions between Valley View and Ian Bazalgette students to co-create prototypes.
• Expert Integration: A vendor has been selected to synthesize student designs into a final professional prototype.
• Grant Success: We have been awarded the Community Facility Enhancement Project Grant from the Government of Alberta!
• Community Support: A huge thank you to the School Councils of both schools for providing the matching funds to make this dream a reality.

What’s Next?

Construction begins this Spring 2026! We are currently finalizing the design and preparing the ground for a space that will serve our students and community for generations to come.