John Chief Calf appointed co-ordinator of FNMI Education for District

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is pleased to announced the appointment of John Chief Calf as the co-ordinator of FNMI Education for the District, commencing the 2019/2020 school year.

Chief Calf is an unassuming and insightful leader who possesses a deep understanding of how to bring community together. In his role as the secondary FNMI lead teacher over the past two years, Chief Calf has demonstrated the ability to infuse Indigenous ways in Lethbridge School District No. 51 teaching and learning.

He is patient, relationship-focused and committed to growing understanding among staff and students of Blackfoot ways of knowing, as well as other Indigenous cultures. Well-respected as an educator and a role model in the realm of professional learning, Chief Calf understands successful leaders bring people together to achieve common understandings and collective goals.

He sees the process of bringing community together to achieve a common vision as one that is imbued with innovation, creativity, collaboration and trust. Chief Calf’s career path and life experience contribute to a sound understanding of the design, implementation and management of specialized programs.

“Oki Nitsokowaiksi” – greetings from John. This is Blackfoot for “all my relations,” which includes nature.

This reflects Chief Calf’s philosophy and approach to place-based learning.

Assuming his new role with a breadth of experience, Chief Calf has most recently served Lethbridge School District No. 51 students and staff as the secondary FNMI lead teacher. He has been an educator in a variety of contexts across the grade levels. Chief Calf has taught at the high school level in the Catholic jurisdiction, at the Community College level and at the middle and elementary school levels on the Siksika Reserve.

He brings valuable experience as a Child and Youth Care worker in a Blood Tribe Group Home and two public school jurisdictions. Chief Calf earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in the Social Sciences and Bachelor of Education Degree majoring in Social Studies from the University of Lethbridge.