Northland School Division

Darrell Anderson

Northland School Division is pleased to announce the appointment of Darrell Anderson as Community Education Coordinator for Wabasca-Desmarais. Anderson, born and raised in Wabasca-Desmarais and a former Mistassiniy School student, brings a wealth of experience to the job. He is the president/CEO of Osaw Maskwa Consulting; a company that assists in bridging the gap between First Nations and industry relations and does Aboriginal Educational awareness, writing Social Studies Textbooks with more Aboriginal Infusion and Indigenous perspective.  Darrell has been a Cree instructor at Oski Paskikoniwew Kamik – Bigstone Community School and involved in managing curriculum resources for Bigstone Cree Nation, Treaty 8 Education Director at Treaty First Nations of Alberta and also a former Member of Council for Bigstone Cree Nation. With deep connections to the community, Anderson says he is excited to help create positive change together with the community.

“I will be working closely with administrators, the school staff, the parents, community members and most importantly the students,” said Anderson. “We want to create a positive school environment so students have something to look forward to each and every day. I want to assist in creating an education experience that will be second to none.”

Darrell is a member of the Community Education Engagement Committee, which is comprised of principals from St. Theresa School, Mistassiniy School and Career Pathways School, community members, Local School Committee members and senior administration for Northland School Division. The committee assists in the development of meaningful community engagement in Wabasca-Desmarais. Anderson says his level of engagement will begin at the school level.

“I want to get the feel of what schools are currently doing, see the positives, get immersed into the school culture,” said Anderson. “Once I do that, than I can start going out into the community to increase communication with parents and gather feedback and move forward together as a community in educating our students - for its them we do this for.”

In addition to face to face conversations with parents, Darrell says he wants to work with educators to create an environment where the schools are full of community people and full of extra curricular activities, clubs and sports that result in students not wanting to leave until it’s time to go home.

“That’s the kind of environment I want to assist in creating and I think that’s the direction the schools are going anyways and I just want to be part of the process,” said Anderson.

Darrell earned a Master of Education – International and Intercultural Education Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies at the University of Alberta. He has also written books that are being utilized in classrooms across the province.  But his pride and joy is his Daughter Brooklynn and at the end of the day that’s why he took on this role in his community, to be that role model for the younger generations for this is how he came to this role. After speaking to the youth at a conference he was asked to apply - now he’s here for all our schools, our community, our students.  Welcome - Darrell!