First Nation education leaders selected as new board of Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
NNEC elects new board members - Joshua Frogg steps down as chairman of the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.
by: Debbie Mishibinijima - Wawatay News - October 29, 2009: Volume 36 #22, Page 3
This move was one of several made during the NNEC Annual Chiefs Assembly held on Oct. 21st and 22nd at Lac Seul First Nation as part of restructuring at NNEC.
Frogg stepped down from the post he held since 2007. He had led the Chiefs Steering Committee which was disbanded. A new board of directors was elected with less representatives.
The new board of directors has six members, with a representative from each educational authority and one representative for the independent bands not affiliated with any Tribal Council.
For the time being, Jennifer Manitowabi is acting as interim chairwoman.
Executive director William Dumas said the new board has reaffirmed its vision and mandate for the organization.
Improving student success is a huge priority for NNEC.
“Students are falling behind in terms of numeracy and literacy,” Dumas said. “We want to create (educational) units to bring them up to a provincial level.”
Researching and documenting what is causing First Nations to lag behind in educational outcomes is a goal of the NNEC.
“We are affirming this is what the problem is. We have no choice, it’s the life of our children,” Dumas said.
NNEC will be developing transitional models to help First Nations’ students’ transition from elementary schools to secondary schools.
NNEC will also work on the transitions students face from secondary schools to post secondary institutions.
NNEC strives to give top priority to the holistic development of the students. Language and culture is an important component, Dumas said.
“We know as educators we have to develop that. Western provinces are ahead of the game. That is a good thing. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” said Dumas.
NNEC is looking at integrating units, such as the International Protocol on Language devised in Manitoba.
“It’s a good thing we maintain the quality of education the best that we can,” said Dumas.
“We had graduates from Dennis Franklin Cromarty, Pelican Falls and post-secondary. Altogether, there have been 54 post secondary graduates.”
“We now have Aboriginal lawyers, nurses, teachers and social workers. We have to measure the successes. Let’s not forget the successes, like we did today.”
In his final words as chairman Frogg said, “I am confident the board will do what we have started. There is momentum and improved quality of education at all levels.”
A formal election to appoint a new chairperson will take place at a NNEC board meeting Dec. 4 in Thunder Bay.
The new board members for Northern Nishnawbe Education Council are: Jennifer Manitowabi, Josie Semple, Vince Ostberg, Jenoas Sainnawap, Ida Muckuck, and Russell Kakepetum. The Board Elder is Tommy Fiddler. The interim representative for Keewaytinook Okimakanak is Goyce Kakegamic.