INAC Minister Robert Nault commits funding support for KiHS
Yesterday, during the Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak meeting in Winnipeg, the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of INAC, made a five year commitment to support the ongoing operation of KiHS based on its present operational level of thirteen First Nation classrooms delivering grade 9 and 10 courses.
Minister Nault recognized the importance of making "a long term commitment to developing quality and successful community based educational programs and support services in First Nations." As part of this announcement, Minister Nault also wants to see the development a five-year workplan that will include improvements to attendance, successful course completion and outcomes, program evaluation, student support systems among other areas.
Keewaytinook Okimakanak established the Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) in 1999 to begin addressing many of the educational gaps and challenges facing First Nation students who use to have to leave their homes and communities to attend high school. Today, KiHS has now obtained the support it requires to provide students, parents, teachers, staff and partner First Nations with the assurances they require to feel secure in making long term plans for developing this resource for the young people in their communities.
As one of the deliverables under the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations Demonstration project, KiHS is supporting the on-going development and operation of community broadband networks in each of the participating First Nations. This five year commitment will ensure that the proper support systems are established to ensure students, parents, teachers and communities are able to receive a quality and successful high school education program.
Check out the pictures of this meeting and some of the on-line discussions about this event.