Historic Agreement to Improve First Nations Education

July 5, 2006
Historic Agreement to Improve First Nations Education

Vancouver - Premier Gordon Campbell, Federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Jim Prentice, Chief Negotiator Nathan Matthew, and Deborah Jeffrey, President of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), signed a historic agreement today that will lead to recognition of First Nations' jurisdiction over First Nations' education in British Columbia.

This agreement will trigger Canada and B.C. to put into place the necessary legislative measures to implement this significant achievement. FNESC will work with the interested First Nations to assist them in developing education laws and establishing Community Education Authorities to deliver education programs and services.

"This agreement on First Nations' schools is the first of its kind in Canada and is a major step toward our goal of closing the education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians," said Campbell. "Today marks the beginning of a new partnership - and as partners, the Province, the federal government and First Nations are ready to work together to create better learning opportunities for First Nations' students."

"Canada's new government recognizes the crucial importance that education plays in terms of improving the quality of life of First Nations people," said Prentice. "This agreement will strengthen First Nations' capacity to exercise control over their education systems and institutions. This approach represents the future of education for First Nations' students, as it provides a model that can be replicated on reserves across Canada."

"The agreements signed today mark a new relationship with the governments - one based on respect that recognizes the jurisdiction of First Nations peoples over the education of their youth," said Matthew, Chief Negotiator and FNESC representative. "The agreement also strengthens the framework for the provision of high quality, relevant education for First Nations students in B.C."

The agreement fulfils a July 2003 commitment between the governments of Canada and B.C., and the First Nations Education Steering Committee to work towards a framework for jurisdiction over the education of First Nations children who attend band schools.

In addition to the framework agreement, a B.C.-FNESC agreement was signed today in which the parties made a commitment to work together to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for First Nations students.

Backgrounder
Tripartite Education First Nations Jurisdiction Framework Agreement

Since the 1973 paper entitled Indian Control of Indian Education (National Indian Brotherhood), First Nations have been seeking recognition by the federal and provincial governments of First Nations jurisdiction. This recognition means that First Nations parents and communities have the right and the responsibility to determine how their children are educated and to determine the content of that education.

The Framework Agreement signed on July 5, 2006 follows six years of negotiations between the federal and provincial governments, and First Nations, represented by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). The scope of jurisdiction for the purposes of these agreements is for on-reserve, K-12 education and represents one aspect/part of education. Early childhood development and post-secondary education will be negotiated in the future.

First Nations who choose to negotiate a bilateral Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement can opt in and remove themselves from sections 114 to 122 of the Indian Act. These sections primarily deal with truancy and enable the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to enter into agreements with third parties to provide educational services to First Nations learners on-reserve. Those First Nations who choose not to opt in will continue to be governed by the Indian Act.

Currently, a significant number First Nations in B.C. have expressed their intent to negotiate Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreements, and they are participating in the planning and capacity building activities that are required to begin these negotiations.

There are several highlights to the governing powers over First Nations schools that First Nations will assume under a Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement:

Teacher certification
School certification
Establishment of curriculum and examination standards

For the last two years, First Nations, through the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA), have been certifying First Nations schools according to a process that was determined by First Nations and the schools themselves. The process is rigorous and includes an external review component. With the signing of these agreements and the legislation that will follow, this certification process will be formally recognized by both the federal and provincial governments.

In addition to those powers noted above, students at First Nations schools that have been certified through this process will also be eligible to receive the Dogwood Graduation Certificate as well as the graduation certificate of the First Nation.

First Nations will once again assume the responsibility for the education of their learners. This includes the need to be accountable primarily to First Nations parents and learners, but also for the funding spent on education. First Nations are currently looking at the most appropriate means to determine success in education and how to measure that success.

This landmark agreement is one to be celebrated by the federal and provincial governments and First Nations alike.

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