About Our School
Land Acknowledge:
E.J. Dunn Elementary School ḥaaḥuupaquwił is situated on the ḥaḥuułi of the c̓išaaʔatḥ and huupačasath First Nations. We acknowledge that we work alongside all nuucǎan̓uł nations as well as the Métis Nation of British Columbia to serve the children and youth of our school community.
E. J. Dunn Elementary School ḥaaḥuupaquwił strives to increase awareness, understanding and integration of nuucǎan̓uł history and language in our school. It is part of our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
Welcome to Eric J. Dunn Elementary School
Welcome to our school! Yes, we say OUR school because this is a learning place for our students and our staff. Parents, guardians and our special invited guests are also welcome. Eric J. Dunn Elementary School is a friendly and safe place to learn. Along with parents and guardians, we will work together with students to make this school year a very successful and enjoyable one for students
About Our School:
At E.J. Dunn Elementary School ḥaaḥuupaquwił, our school culture is deeply rooted in connection—to one another, to the land, and to the values that guide us. Grounded in the First Peoples Principles of Learning, we understand that learning is holistic, relational, and nurtured through a strong sense of community.
Social-emotional learning is at the heart of all we do. It is intentionally taught in classrooms and continuously modeled by staff. Each week begins with our Monday Morning Meeting, where our school community gathers in a welcoming circle. Together, we lift our voices in drum circle to honour our district song, našukʔaƛin (‘We are strong’), and receive warm, grounding messages from our Principal and Vice-Principal to guide us into the week.
Our school support team plays a key role in strengthening our community by helping staff recognize and respond to student needs quickly and compassionately. We work in partnership with families, embracing a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges and supports the lived experiences of those we serve. We understand that care for children includes care for the family unit.
Guided by the teachings of isaaks naas ('Walking with respect') and našukʔaƛin ('We are strong'), we help students develop a shared language of resilience, respect, and self-awareness. These mantras are interwoven into every gathering and celebration, reinforcing belonging and inner strength.
Our proximity to the forest is an integral part of our identity as a school. The land is our teacher. We regularly engage in outdoor learning rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and local cultural practices. The forest is a space for mindfulness, reflection, storytelling, exploration, and relationship-building—an extension of the classroom that allows us to slow down, connect, and learn in harmony with the natural world.
At E.J. Dunn Elementary School ḥaaḥuupaquwił, learning is a shared journey grounded in respect, place, and community.
