OTTAWA, Jan. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today congratulated the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the BC provincial government and the federal government for a successful negotiation and partnership to advance First Nation Control of First Nation Education. This Tripartite Education Framework Agreement builds on the foundation for First Nations education in British Columbia which has been established over the past decade.
AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo noted, "Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of First Nation citizens. I want to congratulate all parties to the agreement for making this commitment to ensure First Nations learners in British Columbia have the opportunity to experience a quality, culturally-relevant, community-driven education which will enable them to find their path in life. In principle, this is about ensuring fairness and equity for students in all schools no matter where they are located. This is a sound approach for strengthening First Nations education."
"The BC Tripartite Education Framework Agreement is another example of BC leading the way in First Nations' education. The agreement is a practical model of how partnerships can work to ensure our children have the quality education they need and deserve," said BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson Raybould. She added, "Today's success is a testament to the determination of our First Nation leadership to drive solutions and put our children first. The federal and provincial governments are to be commended for working collaboratively, respectively and openly to achieve the Agreement reached today."
The agreement is supported by a new funding model that will result in BC First Nation schools being funded in the same way as a similarly sized and situated public school in the province. It provides for an additional $15 millionannually to support BC First Nations in the operation of on-reserve schools, and to support FNESC in offering support services to schools.
"It is critical to advance First Nation designed solutions and bridge the funding gap for instructional services in First Nations schools. This agreement demonstrates the goodwill needed to move forward in this way. We must work to replicate success as appropriate for all jurisdictions right across the country securing quality First Nation education for all of our learners," National Chief Atleo stated. "Ensuring our education systems reflect our languages and cultures is an integral part of the success we see right across the country and this agreement paves the way to lock in this success for all future generations. This can only be achieved if we work together. We will not lose another generation. We need to start moving forward and turn the page to a new chapter, together."
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN and National Chief Atleo on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms and @NCAtleo.
For further information:
Alain Garon, Assembly of First Nations Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382 or cell: 613-2920857 or email agaron@afn.ca
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from the Globe and Mail
B.C. First Nations students to get equal funding
KATE HAMMER EDUCATION REPORTER— VANCOUVER - Jan. 27, 2012
First nations students in B.C. will soon receive the same funding as their peers in provincially run schools, thanks to an agreement signed Friday morning near Ottawa.
The First Nations Education Steering Committee, which represents about 130 schools, has been in negotiations with the federal government for six years, shaping a strategy to improve education on reserves.
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A gap in per-pupil funding – estimated to be as much as 20 per cent less on reserves – had been a sticking point. Negotiations seemed at a standstill in April, with FNESC reluctant to cede control of its schools to the province in exchange for more money.
The new agreement promises stable funding year-over-year, and an annual $15-million top-up for B.C.’s first nations schools starting in the fall of 2012. It evens out educational funding on and off reserve, and requires FNESC to submit annual reports on student achievement.
“It’s a huge step forward,” said Debbie Jeffrey, executive director of FNESC.
Her group will fill the role of both school district and ministry of education, and assist in administering standardized tests to students.
This framework for a first nations education system meets some of the recommendations a panel on aboriginal education is expected to make next month, and could serve as a model.
First nations students are among the most likely to drop out of high school, and just 39 per cent of youth between the ages of 20 and 24 living on reserves have completed high school.
Students often move back and forth between provincial and reserve schools, and B.C.’s Ministry of Education is also a signing partner in the agreement.
The goal is “strengthening education programs, services and standards between on reserve and provincial education systems so students can transfer between the two systems seamlessly,” said John Duncan, minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, according to transcripts of a news conference on the agreement. (The transcripts were provided by the ministry in response to a request for an interview.)
The new agreement – especially its promise of better funding – was welcome news to Len Merriman, principal of two schools on Stz’uminus First Nations, on Vancouver Island.
He said he’d like to put some of the funds toward school programming, building the list of course options available to students.
He’d also like to increase staff salaries.
“We’re losing good staff members because they’re being paid in some cases, 30, 40, even 50 per cent less than they would in the local [school] district,” he said.
