Updated September 2025
We would like to acknowledge the land on which we live, work, and play is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
The Indigenous Success Team at Burnaby North Secondary provides enhanced programming and services to Indigenous students and their families. Our enhanced services are intended to create pathways to success for each and every Indigenous student within our school.
Indigenous Student and Family Support Programs
School-based services include, but are not limited to:
- Cultural programming and enhancements
- Academic tracking and enhancements
- Access to specialized programming from Indigenous Youth Engagement worker (Lorelei Lyons)
- Access to individualized services from Secondary Indigenous Success Teacher (Mandy Alves)
- One to one services for parents and students
- Special field trips
- Access to specialized scholarship and post-secondary information
- Access to special school based and District events
These services are provided by:
- David Katsionis is the Indigenous Success Teacher. He provides academic support with a focus on enhancing attendance, engagement, and academic standing of our Indigenous learners. He works with classroom teachers around inclusion of Indigenous perspectives into classroom teachers around inclusion of Indigenous perspectives into classroom practice and supports teachers by connecting them with resources and skills to implement indigenous perspective respectfully for all learners.
- Gena Sanderson is the Indigenous Youth Engagement Worker for Burnaby North Secondary, Alpha Secondary, and the elementary family schools known as Brentwood North Zone. She provides culturally-based social, emotional, and personal development support to students and their families.
Contact the Team Members
| Team Member | Contact | Location |
| David Katsionis | David.Katsionis@burnabyschools.ca | Indigenous Room, 1021 |
| Gena Sanderson | Gena.Sanderson@burnabyschools.ca | Indigenous Support Office 1027 |
For more information on Indigenous Education in Burnaby Schools please visit: https://burnabyschools.ca/indigenouseducation/
If you are interested in becoming part of an Indigenous Parent Committee, please contact Rob Smyth, Principal of Indigenous Education at 604-296-6900 ext: 661019 or Rob.Smyth@burnabyschools.ca