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Child-focused investments in First Nation education will benefit all Canadians OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – Following an extensive, nation-wide engagement process, the members of the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education have delivered their final report to the National Panel’s co-sponsors, Mr. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The report of the National Panel, entitled Nurturing the Learning Spirit of First Nation Students, outlines three key principles for reform and five recommendations the National Panel considers to be essential to improving education outcomes for First Nation students. The key principles are: Putting children at the center of First Nation education reform; Founding the reform on Canadian political reconciliation; and Sharing accountability for First Nation education reform. The recommendations are to: Co-create a child-centered First Nation Education Act; Create a National Commission for First Nation Education to support education reform and improvement; Facilitate and support the creation of a First Nation education system through the development of regional First Nation Education organizations to provide support and services for First Nation schools and First Nation students; Ensure adequate funding to [...]

OTTAWA — On February 8, 2012 the members of the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education will deliver their final report to the Panel’s co-sponsors, Mr. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. This private meeting will be followed by an 11:00 AM news conference at the National Press Theatre, where the Panel members will be available for comment. The three-member Panel was mandated to advise the co-sponsors on the development of options, including legislation, to improve elementary and secondary education outcomes for First Nation children living on reserves. Delivery of the Panel’s report is the final step of its cross-country engagement process, which began on June 21, 2011. Engagement sessions were held in eight regions and included roundtable meetings, visits to First Nation schools and communities, and key meetings with experts. The process concluded with a national roundtable meeting on November 22, 2011, in Ottawa. An electronic copy of the Panel’s report will be available on the Panel’s website (www.firstnationeducation.ca) before end of day on February 8. For media inquiries please contact: Malcolm Bernard 613-612-0096 (cell) malcolm@interplaymedia.ca

Quality First Nations schools an investment that will pay off for all Canadians OTTAWA, November 22, 2011 – First Nations students have tremendous potential to be successful in school given supportive learning environments, adequate resources, qualified teachers and curriculum inclusive of core academic subjects such as math, sciences and indigenous linguistic and cultural studies, said First Nation leaders, educators and other experts at the National Roundtable on First Nation education. “First Nation children are resilient and can achieve academic excellence,” said Rose Laboucan, Chief of Driftpile First Nation in Alberta. “With fully half of our people under age 25, First Nations are a very youthful population and our children have the potential to make a tremendous contribution to Canada’s economy and their communities, provided they have the same educational opportunities as other children,” she said. Elder Bertha Commondant opened the meeting by urging National Roundtable participants “to unify and work collectively together for our strengthened future.” “We are moving forward and there is lots of hope that the Panel’s work will lead to concrete action so we can nurture our children and ensure they achieve academic success,” said Mike DeGagné, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. “What’s needed now [...]

OTTAWA — The National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a National Roundtable in Ottawa on November 22nd to continue their engagement work to develop an action plan to ensure First Nations students have access to quality education and high school graduation rates improve. The National Roundtable is the culmination of the Panel’s engagement process which has included extensive discussions and guidance from community leaders, administrators of First Nations schools and support organizations, legal and policy experts, as well as First Nations students, teachers, parents and Elders. The National Roundtable will be a key opportunity for the Panel to verify themes and findings and to advance thinking on possible recommendations, including how to respond to regional and community diversity in the context of a national report. Attending the National Roundtable will be community leaders, educators, administrators, and students from across Canada who share a focus and drive to improve First Nations K–12 education and student success. The Panel, a joint initiative of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and the Assembly of First Nations, will deliver its recommendations to the federal minister and National Chief by year end. For more information and to have your [...]

National Roundtable in Ottawa Will Conclude Engagement Process SASKATOON, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 – First Nations leaders and education experts in Saskatchewan told the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education that strong governance structures and quality infrastructure are core components of a quality of education system and key to increasing high school graduation rates for First Nation students. Teachers, principals, parents, students and community leaders participating in a day-long roundtable in Saskatoon highlighted they are doing the best with what they have but could be achieving better outcomes with the benefit of secondary supports for teacher training, student assessment, and curriculum development. The Panel also heard that the ability to engage in multi-year planning and job security and pay parity for teachers, comparable to that in the public school system, are also key to building excellent schools with low teacher turn-over. Other key themes in Saskatchewan included the importance of parental and community engagement and the need to nurture a foundation of language and culture so students have the pride, self esteem and confidence to succeed in K – 12, as well as to complete post-secondary programs. Teachers also stressed the need for professional development opportunities, the ability [...]

Visits with students, teachers and parents in Goose Bay and Sept-Îles highlight seventh regional engagement session Québec City, November 12, 2011 – The importance of parental involvement is a key factor in student achievement, underscored teachers and school administrators meeting with the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education in Labrador and Québec. There is a strong connection between a student’s success in school and their parents’ involvement and support in their child’s educational experience said staff at Sheshatshiu Innu School and Uashat’s Manikanetish High School and Johnny Pilot Primary School. As well, teachers and principals highlighted communities as a whole have an important role to play in supporting and strengthening schools and student success. Parental involvement can take many forms including attending school functions, responding to school obligations such as parent-teacher conferences, helping children with homework, encouraging them, and modeling desired behavior such as reading for pleasure, the educators said. Examples of the importance of broader community support included volunteering at the school and playing an active role in decision-making in terms of planning and developing the educational or school community. Everyone, from parents to elected leaders to Elders has an important role to play teachers advised. [...]

Development of blueprint for action to improve education systems, programs and success for First Nation students focus of discussions The National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a series of meetings in Saskatchewan on November 15th and 16th, to engage with First Nations representatives as it works to develop an action plan to ensure First Nation students have access to quality education and high school graduation rates improve. The Panel’s activities while in Saskatchewan include: Tuesday, November 15th, Roundtable in Wanuskewin with students, parents, elders, teachers, education administrators and community leaders; and Wednesday, November 16th, school visits to Oskayak High School, Saskatoon, and Almighty Voice, One Arrows Reserve. Saskatchewan is home to 70 First Nation communities. Together, with their regional organizations, they manage 84 band-operated schools in the province. In 2009 – 2010, there were a total of 20,136 First Nations students. In this school year, 16,514 attended band-operated schools, 3,513 attended provincial schools and 109 attended private schools. The Panel, a joint initiative of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, will deliver its report to the federal minister and National Chief by year end. For further information or to [...]

Development of blueprint for action to improve K – 12 school systems and outcomes for First Nation students focus of discussions The National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a series of meetings in Québec from November 8th to 10th, to engage with First Nations and government representatives as it works to develop a blueprint for action plan to ensure First Nation students have access to quality education and high school graduation rates improve. The Panel’s activities while in Québec include: Tuesday, November 8th, visits to Manikanetish High School and Johnny Pilot Primary School; and meeting with Tshakapesh Institute. Wednesday, November 9th, Roundtable with students, parents, elders, teachers, education administrators and community leaders, Musée Shaputuan, Ville de Sept-Îles; and Thursday, November 10th, meetings with government officials, Québec City. There are 39 First Nations Bands in Québec. Of some 74,000 First Nations people in the province, approximately 70 per cent live on-reserve. In Canada, the Aboriginal population aged 25-64 lags behind in educational attainment with 34% having less than high school (50% on-reserve) compared with 15% of non-Aboriginals of the same age. The Panel, a joint initiative of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Assembly [...]

Visits to Kipohtakaw Education Centre, Tsuu T’ina High School and Swan River First Nation School garner input from students, parents, and teachers EDMONTON, NOVEMBER 4, 2011 – First Nations leaders in Alberta told the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education that true partnerships between First Nations and provincial and federal governments are key to strengthening learning and educational success for First Nations students. Citing momentum from the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Education signed last year between Grand Chiefs of the three Treaty organizations in Alberta, the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Alberta Education Minister, First Nations educators highlighted their goal of working as equal partners with the other governments and of sharing a common vision and objectives for strong education outcomes for First Nations students. The First Nations leaders and educators suggested the MOU provides a framework for collaboration and change to guide the restructuring of First Nations education in Alberta to advance many elements of a quality education system including parental and community engagement, Treaty and cultural awareness, and tuition and service agreements. “The MOU on First Nation Education marked a new beginning for all First Nations children in [...]

Development of blueprint for action to improve K – 12 school systems and outcomes for First Nation students focus of discussions The National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a series of meetings in Alberta from October 31st to November 3rd, to engage with First Nations representatives as it works to develop a blueprint for action plan to ensure First Nation students have access to quality education and high school graduation rates improve. The Panel’s activities while in Alberta include: Monday, October 31st, meetings with Treaty 7 leaders and educators and visit to Tsuu T’ina Jr/Sr High School; Tuesday, November 1st, meetings with Treaty 6 leaders and educators and visit to Kipohtakaw Education Centre; Wednesday, November 2nd, meetings with Treaty 8 leaders and educators and visit to Swan River School; and Thursday, November 3rd, Roundtable with students, parents, elders, teachers, education administrators and community leaders. There are approximately 60 band operated school in the province. Nine thousand and eight hundred students attend on-reserve schools and just over 7,000 attend private/provincial and one federally operated school in the province. Alberta is home to 45 First Nations communities in three treaty areas. Treaties 6, 7 and 8 consist [...]