Over the past two years, students from both Valley View School and Ian Bazalgette School worked alongside Indigenous Elders and educators to imagine and design an outdoor space using a design thinking approach. Through this process, students were actively involved in decision-making, ensuring the final design reflects their ideas, experiences, and understanding of place.

“The outdoor classroom is intended to be much more than an extension of traditional learning environments,” says Shafina Dharamsi, principal of Valley View School. “It has been thoughtfully created to foster meaningful relationships with local plants, animals, and natural features, while also serving as a gathering place where students can learn directly from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The space honours the cultural significance and history of the land, providing opportunities for reflection, connection, and hands-on, land-based learning.”

A key moment in the journey occurred in May, when Elder Saa’kokoto from the Kainai Nation spent time with the group and shared teachings. The event brought together student representatives from kindergarten through Grade 9, offering them a powerful opportunity to witness and participate in a meaningful cultural experience. The ceremony emphasized the values of respect, relationship, and community – the principles that have guided the project from its earliest stages.

Now complete, the outdoor learning space is set to open for student use in the near future. The finished area combines natural beauty with purposeful design, creating an environment that integrates culture, education, and nature in a cohesive and respectful way.

The project reflects a strong spirit of collaboration among many contributors. School councils and parent communities from both schools played an important role in supporting the initiative, alongside the Group 2 Facilities Team and Year-Round Landscaping, who helped bring the vision to life.

A special thank you for the wisdom and guidance of Elders. The teachings of the late Elder John Snow, from Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation, along with those of Elder Saa’kokoto helped shape the purpose and spirit of the space.

The new outdoor learning space stands as a testament to the power of student voice, community collaboration, honouring Indigenous knowledge and offering a learning environment that will serve students now and for years to come.