Listuguj Together with 21 First Nations Communities in Quebec and the Government of Canada Sign Historic Education Agreement

/in , , , ,

 

(Delegation of Chiefs and Youth Delegates – Advancing First Nations Control of First Nations Education)

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Listuguj, together with 21 First Nations Communities in Quebec, Attend Official Signing Ceremony of the Regional Education Agreement

 

July 15, 2022 by Dr. Amy Chamberlin – Research Associate, LETE Governance

July 14, 2022 (Kahnawà:ke, Quebec) Listuguj, together with 21 First Nations Communities in Quebec and the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), signed a Regional Education Agreement (REA) with Canada strengthening and advancing First Nations Control of First Nations Education for children and youth, from kindergarten to Grade 12. The signing ceremony took place on Kahnawà:ke territory at the Kahnawake Survival School.

Built in the spirit of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and Canada, this regional agreement is intended to make certain that Indigenous learners have access to education that meets their needs and goals and reflects their respective worldviews and values while respecting the principle of First Nations Control of First Nations Education. (https://www.afn.ca/policy-sectors/education/).

“This is the action of reconciliation. The Agreement means that First Nations will lead the education of their children. It means that First Nations will ensure that culture, language, and identity are at the core of everything. It means that First Nations will have the resources that they need to hire and retain teachers and educators that will combine 21st century culture and technology with the historic culture and technology that is still alive today. This agreement has been designed by and for First Nations. This is a new reality in this country: Indigenous leadership, self-determination, true Nation-to-Nation relationships,” Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu said in the press conference.

The federal government, through Indigenous Services Canada, will provide 1.1 billion dollars in funding over five years. The federal government will provide an additional 310 million from Budget 2022, and 790 million will be transferred using existing funding structures.

“For communities, the funding provides for flexibility; we can set our own priorities and goals. The funding is sufficient, allowing each of us to take on First Nations Control of First Nations education,” said Chief Darcy Gray.

The result of 10 years of collective work, the agreement is based on a funding formula designed by and for First Nations members of the FNEC. The agreement will allow for:

  • Culturally relevant curriculum
  • Improved student success (academic outcomes).
  • Recruitment and retention of staff (teachers and specialized resources)
  • Increased student retention and high school graduation rates
  • Integrating technology into the classroom
  • Adequate funding for bus transportation

(Chief Darcy Gray signing collective agreement alongside Denis Gros Louis, FNEC Director General)

“This agreement is positive step forward in terms of reconciliation. Gives us the capacity in our communities to start bringing services that are equitable and comparable to provincial levels services. But also, more importantly, in terms of capacity to provide us with the tools to begin the decolonization of our education systems,” Chief John Martin of Gesgapegiag and representative of the Chiefs for the FNEC.

The agreement offers potential for transformation in the areas of curriculum, language, and Indigenizing the curriculum of the programs in First Nations schools. The signing ceremony marked a milestone in the renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canada and in the realization of Indigenous peoples’ rights to determine their respective pathways in education.

For more information, please contact Michael Isaac, Communications Manager, at 418-788-2136 or michael.isaac@listuguj.ca

AFNQL and FNEC Condemn Media Attack on First Nations for History Textbook Changes Across Quebec

/in , ,

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

AFNQL and FNEC Condemn Media Attack on First Nations for History Textbook Changes Across Quebec

 

 

Wendake, November 22, 2018 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) wish to address the journalists, academics and historians who recently confronted First Nations, in various forums, on the changes made to history textbooks, and in particular regarding certain derogatory terms used in them.

 

First of all, to say that these changes are the result of lobbying is incorrect. On the contrary, we were invited by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES) to take part in advisory committees as part of a complete review of the history program which was by no means limited to First Nations. We considered the process to be an opportunity for discussion and collaboration with various education partners in Quebec.

 

Moreover, FNEC representatives who sat on these advisory committees have substantial expertise in the field, contrary to what was insinuated by certain members of the media.

 

FNEC Director General, Lise Bastien said, “While our suggestions were the result of several years of careful work, it is unfortunate that the people who made comments in the media did not consider the facts and references even though they had been presented on many occasions, and that they again chose to make First Nations scapegoats.”

 

AFNQL Chief, Ghislain Picard stated, “This is 2018, and we are not a lobby. The regressive and colonial rhetoric presented to us in the media recently, which claims that political correctness in history cannot be brought about, no longer holds sway. We will not let anyone tell us what terms should be used or not used when it comes to the history of our peoples and our nations. This is a warning for those who want to teach us a lesson. It is high time to stop giving a one-sided view of history seen through the eyes of the conqueror.”

 

 

 

 

About the AFNQL

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is a political organization consisting of 43 First Nations chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL.

 

About the FNEC

For over 30 years, the FNEC has been working to fulfill the right of First Nations to have complete authority over their education through the implementation of an education system that has adequate resources, and that is developed and managed according to their values and cultures. Further information is available at www.cepn-fnec.com

 

 

– 30 –

 

Information:

Alain Garon: agaron@apnql.com                               Eve Bastien : ebastien@cepn-fnec.com

Communications Officer, AFNQL                               Communications Counsellor, FNEC

Mobile: 418-254-4620                                                   Telephone: 418-842-7672 ext. 3001

Call for Tenders – Policy Analyst

/in ,

Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities

/in , ,

 

For immediate release

 

First Nations Education in Quebec:

Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities

 

 

Montréal, April 5, 2018 – Chiefs of First Nations communities in Quebec, in association with the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), are gathered in Montréal today to discuss important issues related to elementary and secondary education in their communities. They are convinced their children need access to quality education, and they want to draw on the knowledge of their professionals in education and collective vision to develop a funding formula that will enable their schools to provide high quality and culturally adapted education services, and give their students opportunities for higher education.

 

 

Discussions were also held on the need to maintain special education services for at-risk students in First Nations schools and the importance of meeting the actual needs of the communities. Invited to participate in this very important meeting, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, Ghislain Picard, reminded those in attendance of the seriousness with which the communities are pursuing their efforts to create an education system that gives their children the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. Chief Picard stated, “Education is essential, and we are gathered here today to find solutions and courses of action that will make it possible to foresee an improvement of the education services offered in our communities.”

 

 

In devoting this day to the future of our children, we do not claim to address all current problems, but we are demonstrating our collective will to engage in a process to improve elementary and secondary education for First Nations youths in Quebec.

 

 

About the FNEC

For over 30 years, the FNEC has been working to fulfill the right of First Nations to have complete authority over their education through the implementation of an education system that has adequate resources, and that is developed and managed according to their values and cultures. Further information is available at www.cepn-fnec.com.

 

 

 

– 30 –

 

 

 

Source:

Lise Bastien

Director General

418-842-7672

lbastien@cepn-fnec.com