Edmonton, AB.-In early February 2000, aniskwaciy Academy opened its doors. It was the first Indigenous-based public high school in Canada, steeped in Indigenous language, culture and traditions.

"We have strong academy programming, but we also want to make sure our kids are getting strong cultural teaching," principal Fred Hines told CBC news. Hines also says the goal is to learn about the Cree culture and create a community of forward thinkers.

In 2000, when the school began, only about 25 percent of First Nations students in Alberta were graduating from high school. Now, about 200 students f...