Medicine wheel frames Aboriginal Education Agreement

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Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

GRAND FORKS - Drum songs accompanied the signing of the second Aboriginal
Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA) in the Boundary school district.
The celebration took place at Gallery 2, Grand Forks and district Art and
Heritage Centre.

This five-year agreement is committed to a holistic approach, as informed
by medicine wheel teachings, to improve educational success for students
of First Nations, Métis and Inuit ancestry. The medicine wheel's four
quadrants represent balance and will be used to articulate the goals of
academic success and spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of
students.

The Boundary AEEA was developed through staff and community consultation
with representatives from the Boundary Métis Community Association and
Boundary All Nations Aboriginal Council.

Since 2006, events like Sinixt legends and history, Ktunaxa grass dancing
and Métis jigging and culture presentations have been featured in
classrooms. As a result of this commitment to a holistic approach to
education, the district's Aboriginal student graduation rates are at an
all-time high.

Quotes:

Minister of Education George Abbott -

"Today's signing of the second Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement
in the Boundary school district symbolizes a strong commitment by
everyone involved to improve learning outcomes for Aboriginal students.
We're seeing some great ideas and innovations in the Boundary school
district and I think it's important to celebrate and share these
successes across the province."

Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater -

"I want to congratulate the many partners who worked hard to support
Aboriginal students in the district through the first Aboriginal
Enhancement Agreement. I know this new agreement will build on that
strong foundation and support even greater achievements for Aboriginal
students in the years ahead."

SD 51 (Boundary) board chair, Teresa Rezansoff -

"As we work to help make Aboriginal students welcomed and valued in our
schools, we also provide an opportunity for all students to benefit from
the rich culture and history of the Okanagan people."

Quick Facts

* SD 51 is located in the traditional territories of the Okanagan people,
but no on-reserve population resides within the school district.
* Aboriginal graduation rates have increased from 69 percent in 2005-06
to 86.7 percent in 2010-2011.
* To date, there are Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements in 53
school districts.
* Eleven districts have signed their second AEEA and four districts have
signed their third AEEA.
* Provincial funding for Aboriginal education in 2010-11 was $62.9
million (through a supplement of $1,160 per student).

Learn More:

Boundary School District: http://www.sd51.bc.ca/

B.C.'s Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements:
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/abed/agreements/

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/