Indigenous Education Impact Initiative

The Indigenous Education Impact Initiative (IEII) builds upon the earlier Transitions work and focusses on the “what next” in our learning. The IEII draws attention to what was learned in the 2024 NOIIE Transitions Report, in order to guide inquiry teams and coaches in next steps in using inquiries to create short and long term impact and systemic change.

Jo Chrona

Jo is a speaker, educator, Indigenous education advocate, and author of Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education (2022). Jo Chrona is of Ts’msyen and European heritage, and is a member of the Kitsumkalum First Nation. She currently lives on Salt Spring Island, traditional territories of Coast Salish First Nations.

Jo’s experience includes over 30 years teaching in K-12 and post-secondary systems, as well as working as a Faculty Associate in SFU’s Teacher Education Program, an Advisor with the BC Ministry of Education, and a Policy Analyst and Curriculum Manager for the First Nations Education Steering Committee in BC.

Jo’s work has included ELA curriculum development, professional learning through inquiry networks, and Indigenous education. She participated in aspects of educational transformation in BC’s K-12 system, the development of education policies, and managed and contributed to the development of authentic Indigenous teacher resources. Jo has a BA (SFU), a Diploma in Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Technology (UBC), and completed UBC’s Transformative Educational Leadership Program (TELP).

In addition to consulting and providing professional learning in the areas of Indigenous and anti-racist education, how Indigenous-informed pedagogies create stronger educational experiences for all, and how high-expectations relationships can help move us forward, Jo is currently examining the connections between the First Peoples Principles of Learning, equity, and assessment. Jo currently co-guides the Indigenous Education Impact Initiative (IEII) for the NOIIE.

Jana Fox

Jana is an Indigenous educator, lifelong learner, and the Assistant Superintendent in School District 54, Bulkley Valley located on the beautiful, unceded territory of the Witsuwit’en Peoples in northern British Columbia. Jana also works alongside brilliant educators in the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education, supporting school and district Indigenous Education Impact Initiative teams across the province as they engage in the Spiral of Inquiry to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners.

Creative, insightful educators and Indigenous knowledge holders, including her Blackfoot and Navajo ancestors, inspire Jana’s passion for learning and being a good relative. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning environments that nurture the growth and well-being of all students. Guided by a desire to be a story weaver, Jana gathers and shares stories that support meaningful action to help shape positive transformations in the education system and Indigenous communities.

Lori Burger

Lori Burger is from the Nisga’a Nation, from the community of Gitlaxt’aamiks in the Nass valley. She is Giskaast (Killerwhale), from the house of Wisin xbiltkw, and Cree from Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan on her mother’s side, as well as settler heritages on her father’s side. Lori is committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and passionate about Indigenous representation both professionally and personally. She cares deeply about Indigenous representation and reconciliation learning, and is actively involved in evaluating Indigenous literatures and resources for use in the K-12 public school system. She has worked with the Association of Book Publishers of BC Indigenous Books for Schools and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) on authenticating First Peoples resources. 

Lori has been involved in Indigenous education for over twenty years in roles spanning from Support Worker to Teacher, to Vice Principal and District Administration. Lori is currently the District Vice Principal of Indigenous Education, Equity and Excellence in School District 52 in Prince Rupert. Her personal and professional focus has been, and continues to be, equity and Indigenous Education for all.