Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 22/02) - Two educators from Yellowknife are among the first recipients of a national award recognizing inclusive education.

The awards were given out during a Canadian Association for Community Living conference held in Toronto at the beginning of the month.

Liz Baile, Yellowknife Catholic Schools special needs consultant, and Moe Miller, program support teacher with St. Patrick high school, received the awards.

The awards recognize outstanding achievement in providing education to children with disabilities.

"We're really very excited to receive the award. I think it's a special award because it identifies how school boards work with people with disabilities," said Baile.

Miller said the awards are largely in part to the support Yellowknife Catholic schools receive from the division.

"A lot of support goes into inclusive education. Our district has made a real commitment to support all kids," said Miller.

This year, the Catholic board invested additional money into the special needs budget to fund professional development and staffing.

"We strongly feel that students with disabilities should not be segregated from other students, and we ensure that our schools live that practice," said Dr. Loretta Foley, GNWT's deputy education minister.

Lani Cooke with the Yellowknife Association for Community Living said the awards are well deserved.

The association is mandated to assisting people with disabilities.

"The Department of Education is providing strong leadership in making a commitment to inclusive education," she said.

"I think our jurisdiction is leading the way in that department. We're doing it while other provinces are still talking about it."

Cooke added that some jurisdictions still have segregated schools for students with disabilities.

"There are still challenges. There probably needs to be more resources in the system. It is something that needs constant attention, said Cooke.

"Yellowknife Association for Community Living is working with the school system and with parents to make sure the system is working."

Jane Arychuk of the Deh Gah elementary and secondary school in the Dehcho school division was the third NWT teacher to receive an award.