Policy Areas

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Education

AFN Heroes of Our Time Scholarship & Application

Assembly of First Nations Calls on Government of Canada to Address First Nations Education Crisis

First Nations Education Action Plan

Education

Special Chiefs Assembly report – December 2008

Key Issues and Activities

The Education Secretariat has identified several key issues:

1. A national data collection and management system controlled by First Nations is key to decision-making, while Ownership, Control, Access and Possession are a prerequisite to fulfilling these responsibilities for good governance.
2. Development of a First Nations Directors of Education Network to further the work required to develop templates for school success plans, school evaluations and performance measurements that will pay careful attention to the acquisition of First Nations languages and culture.
3. Public education and communications strategies with products for use in First Nations communities, schools and with families that promote the importance of education and lifelong learning and share information on best practices.
4. To thoroughly conduct research and analysis on inequitable educational funding for First Nations peoples and explore human rights and/or legal options for a formal complaint against the Government of Canada.
5. To support the work required to review and update the original Indian Control of Indian Education Policy Paper, 1972, for distribution to all First Nations communities for their comments/suggestions.

The Education Secretariat participated in the annual assembly of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada on September 5^th to provide information on the impact of the federal government’s 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program. On September 16^th, a meeting was held with Millennium Scholarship Foundation regarding the Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership program for training counselors to be mentors for under-represented youth in secondary schools. Subsequent meetings with the Foundation have explored opportunities to share costs to host a National Directors of Education colloquium.

The Education Secretariat worked closely with the Opposition parties to obtain information on School Capital Lists from the Minister of Indian Affairs to develop a priority list and fact sheet of new schools and major renovations required throughout Canada.

The Director of Education met with the AFN Executive on September 15^th to provide an update on the implications of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s (INAC) proposed “New First Nations Education Reform”. Education staff also met with the National Chief’s Office to coordinate the National Chief’s participation in the Treaty 6, 7, & 8 Day of Action on September 24, 2008.

The Secretariat has also focused on strategy sessions with the Chiefs Committee on Education for the Special Chiefs Assembly, finalizing revisions to the Indian Control of Indian Education paper, and research and networking with regions and within the AFN for a potential human rights complaint and/or class action suit against the Government of Canada for its negligence in fulfilling fiduciary and Treaty obligations.

The Education Secretariat coordinated three meetings on data management (July 14, August 25-27 and October 27) that resulted in a Data Management Working Group and a draft SCA resolution supporting the development of a National Data Management Framework. The Working Group will also be tasked with developing the strategy, terms of reference, comparative studies on existing/potential data management systems in Canada and a framework for a National First Nations Data Management system.

The Secretariat continues to develop networking and partnering opportunities with regional and national organizations that advance the education of First Nations peoples, such as the Ontario Literacy Council and the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition.

The AFN Education Secretariat has found creative ways to accomplish many of the key activities identified in the 2008/09 Work Plan, such as using environmental scans via e-mail, conference calls and participation in the AFN-Provincial and Territorial Organization calls.

Anticipated Achievements by March 31, 2009

• Establish a network of First Nations experts in First Nations education in the areas of Data Management and School Evaluation & School Success Plans;
• Approval in principle of a revised Indian Control of Indian Education Policy Paper, 2008;
• Development of a draft template for school success plans and school evaluations; and
• Development of a National Framework on Data Collection.