Northland School Division

Northland School Division (NSD) is excited to welcome Holly Brandsma as the division’s new Land-Based Learning Coordinator. In this position, Holly will help strengthen land-based learning across the Northland School Division while supporting Debbie Mineault, Director of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education.

Holly is a proud Métis woman, educator, mother, and wife connected to the historic Métis community of mânitow sâkahikanihk – Lac Ste. Anne. She has facilitated learning in a variety of roles, including consulting, curriculum coordination, Indigenous Education and teaching from Kindergarten to Grade 12 over a span of 24 years.

“Holly's role was established in response to community engagement conversations with students, parents, guardians, and community members,” said Cal Johnson, Superintendent of Schools/CEO. “We heard that more support is needed to weave local language and culture into the curriculum. Holly has the experience we are looking for and the ability to work with schools and communities around language and land-based learning.”

“As part of Northland’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team, my role will be to actively engage with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to bring collaboration, community voices and language revitalization into land-based approaches with schools,” said Brandsma. “My journey includes reclaiming language and cultural ways of knowing, and I have a deep love for being on the land. I am committed to advancing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education and supporting land-based learning opportunities across Northland.”

Holly holds a Bachelor of Education, has completed a Master of Indigenous Land-Based Education, and earned her Leadership Certification.