Families with children in Port Alberni schools are being asked for their input on potential new language classes as the Pacific Rim School District explores adding Nuu-chah-nulth language instruction to elementary curriculums.
The district released an online survey on April 8, 2026, which is open to families at several local schools, including École Alberni Elementary, Tsuma-as Elementary, Wood Elementary, and John Howitt Elementary. This initiative is being led by the district’s Indigenous Education Team, which is headed by Director Jaime Hansen and Manager of Indigenous Language and Culture Michelle Colyn.
The district says feedback gathered through the survey will help shape the foundation of a formal study to determine the feasibility of the program. Officials noted that the success of Indigenous learners is a priority for the school board, which currently serves approximately 4,000 students, about 35 percent of whom identify as Indigenous.
This effort builds on the district’s ongoing work to support Indigenous education and reconciliation, which includes providing existing language resources and curriculum materials for grades 5 through 12. The district operates on the traditional territories of the c̓išaaʔatḥ, hupačasath, tla-o-qui-aht, yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, and huu-ay-aht First Nations, and works alongside these nations and the Métis Nation of British Columbia.
Families can find the survey through the school district’s website to share their thoughts on the proposed language programming.
