First Nations Reach Historic Education Deal in BC

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Harper Government, Province of British Columbia
and First Nations Reach Historic Education Deal

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Jan 27, 2012

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development; the Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Education for British Columbia (BC); and Tyrone McNeil, President of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), today signed the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement which aims to provide BC First Nation students with access to quality education programs whether they attend school on or off reserve.

"Today I am pleased to announce that working in partnership with First Nations and the province of British Columbia, First Nation students will have the necessary tools to succeed," said Minister Duncan. "Together we will continue to put students first so they become confident, educated and skilled individuals who will create a strong economic future for First Nations communities and Canada."

The Tripartite Education Framework Agreement recognizes the shared interest of all signing partners to support the academic success of First Nation students in BC. Under this agreement, FNESC will support the delivery of quality education programs and services, meeting standards that will allow First Nation students to transfer without academic penalty, at similar levels of achievement, between First Nation schools and provincial public schools.

"Together with our government and First Nation partners, we are continuing to improve education outcomes for First Nation students in BC, regardless of where they live and learn," said Minister Abbott. "FNESC continues to do great work to improve the experience and outcomes of First Nation students, and I look forward to continuing our partnership together."

"Our mandate is to improve First Nation education," said Mr. McNeil. "This agreement reaffirms our commitment to continue the working relationship, based on mutual respect, recognition, collaboration and clarity of roles and responsibilities for First Nation education."

First Nations Schools Association President Greg Louie added, "We see great potential for the Tripartite Agreement to help us advance our important work in providing education programs with high standards and strategies that reflect our unique First Nations culture and aspirations."

This agreement is also supported by a new funding model that will result in First Nation schools being funded in the same way as similarly sized and situated provincial schools. This includes the addition of $15 million annually to support BC First Nations in the operation of on reserve schools and FNESC in the delivery of second level services (as announced in the federal Budget 2010).

BC First Nation Chiefs overwhelmingly endorsed the framework agreement in December.

Backgrounder - British Columbia Tripartite Education Framework Agreement for First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education

In Budget 2010, the Government of Canada announced new funding to support an implementation-ready tripartite K-12 education agreement to ensure First Nation students benefit from comparable education whether their school is located on or off reserve.

On December 10, 2010, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced that this new investment would be targeted to First Nations in British Columbia based on the advanced state of the education partnership in the province.

Following that announcement, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), and the BC Ministry of Education negotiated the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement.

The Tripartite Education Framework Agreement identifies the roles, responsibilities and commitments of each signing partner.

The agreement:

outlines the standards, programs, services and school supports which address the unique needs of First Nation students;
supports the delivery of quality education programs and services meeting standards that allow First Nation students to transfer without academic penalty, at similar levels of achievement, between First Nation schools and provincial schools;
recognizes FNESC and First Nations have worked to establish an education system to support First Nation students and schools that reflects the values and traditions of the communities they serve;
recognizes FNESC has demonstrated the capacity to administer education programs and second level services on behalf of First Nations and First Nation schools in BC;
is supported by a new funding model for participating BC First Nations that will fund First Nation schools on reserve in the same way as similarly sized and situated BC public schools.

The Government of Canada will provide an additional $15 million annually to support BC First Nation schools and programs, including ongoing support for FNESC, which has committed to offer second-level services which will include some of the services offered by school boards in the provincial system.

The Government of British Columbia has committed to work with FNESC to develop and implement a process to issuing graduation certificates to students in First Nation on reserve schools. BC also agrees to consult with FNESC regarding any proposed changes in provincial education policy.

The agreement recognizes the ongoing commitment of signing partners to work together to improve the educational outcomes and graduation rates of First Nation students.

First Nations Education Steering Committee
http://www.fnesc.ca/
The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is an independent society which works in support of First Nations education in BC. Established in May 1992, FNESC is led by representatives of 88 First Nations across the province and provides administrative services for the First Nation Schools Association, and other partner organizations.

FAQ - British Columbia Tripartite Education Framework Agreement for First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education

Q.1 What is the new approach to First Nation education in British Columbia (BC)?

A.1 In December 2010, the Government of Canada announced a new approach to comparable education in BC to support the implementation of tripartite education agreements. BC First Nations will be able to access the new approach through an education self-government agreement or the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement.

The new approach recognizes that quality, comparable education includes the standards, programs, services, school supports and investments required to address the unique needs of First Nation students. It also recognizes the need for First Nation students to be able to transfer between First Nation schools and provincial pubic schools without academic penalty.

Q.2 What is the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement?

A.2 The Tripartite Education Framework Agreement formalizes the partnership between Canada, the province, the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), and BC First Nations operating schools on reserve. The agreement sets out the roles and responsibilities of the parties in the delivery of First Nation education programming and is supported by a new funding model. The new approach also recognizes and supports FNESC as a second level service provider to First Nation schools in BC.

Q.3 Why is the new approach being offered in BC?

A.3 The new approach was targeted for BC First Nations based on the longstanding and comprehensive education partnerships in the province dating back to 1999. It acknowledges that First Nations and FNESC have worked together to establish an education system to support First Nation students. FNESC has also demonstrated the capacity to administer education programs and services on behalf of First Nations and First Nation schools.

Q.4 Will the new approach be offered in other provinces?

A.4 The Government of Canada will continue to work with First Nations in other regions to develop new partnership opportunities.

Q.5 Under the new approach will there be additional funding for First Nation schools?

A.5 Yes. The Government of Canada will provide an additional $15 million annually to support BC First Nation schools (as provided for in Budget 2010), and provide ongoing funding to support the delivery of second level services by FNESC. The new funding model has been developed in collaboration with FNESC and is largely based on the provincial funding formula. Under the agreement a First Nation school will be funded in the same way as a similarly sized and situated public school in the province.

Q.6 When is the new funding available?

A.6 First Nations opting-in to the new agreement will have a new funding allocation based on the new funding model in time for the 2012 school year.

Q.7 Will all First Nations in BC be able to participate?

A.7 All First Nations in BC who operate schools will be able to participate in the new approach either by opting into the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement or by signing an education self-government agreement with the Government of Canada.

Q.8 How will the new funding model work?

A.8 The new funding model is based on the provincial funding formula and provides funding for core operational costs such as teacher salaries and benefits, operation and maintenance of schools and educational services and management. It also provides for ongoing funding to FNESC to provide second level services including:

providing economies of scale for school support services
administering and reporting on the results of school assessments
fostering teacher recruitment and retention strategies
engaging parents and the community

Q.9 What kind of accountability is in place through the new Tripartite Education Framework Agreement?

A.9 The Tripartite Education Framework Agreement recognizes First Nation communities have primary decision-making responsibility for their schools. The framework agreement requires participating First Nations to make aggregate school performance information available to parents of students, and further specified reports available to FNESC and the Government of Canada. This provides the opportunity to track progress and make improvements over time.

Q.10 How will success be measured?

A.10 There is a mechanism through the tripartite agreement which allows the parties to review and monitor its success. Also, with enhanced cooperation between the two schools systems and all parties committed to the delivery of comparable education, it is expected that student outcomes, including graduation rates, will improve. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) will be tracking the graduation rate of First Nation schools under the new approach.

Q.11 Does this new approach address First Nation concerns relating to language and culture programming?

A.11 The new approach includes targeted funding for culturally appropriate education programs and services for First Nation students.

Although not included in the new approach, First Nation communities can also apply to supplement this funding by accessing both federal and provincial targeted programs including: AANDC's Cultural Education Centres Program; Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Language Initiative and Canadian Studies Programs; and the BC Citizen's Fund.

Q.12 What about support for technology?

A.12 The new funding model captures the funding that a provincial school would receive for connectivity, and for buying and maintaining equipment.

Q.13 Does the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement include funding for new school construction or renovation?

A.13 No. Similar to the province's approach to funding major capital projects related to education, funding for First Nation schools will continue to be evaluated on a case by case basis within existing capital programs and is not included in this model.

Q.14 What happens if a First Nation chooses not to opt-in to the new approach?

A.14 It is anticipated that most BC First Nations will opt into the new approach. First Nations choosing not to opt-in to the new funding model under the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement would receive funding under the current National Band Operated Funding Formula.

Q.15 What is the relationship between the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement and negotiations in support of education jurisdiction in BC?

A.15 All BC First Nations who operate schools may opt into the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement. First Nations currently in negotiations on self-government education agreements will be able to participate in the new model through the tripartite agreement while concluding their negotiations.

Q.16 Does the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement include an Own Source Revenue provision?

A.16 No. Own Source Revenue does not apply to the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement as it is not a self-government agreement.

Q.17 What effect could the results from the National Panel on Education have on the new approach in the tripartite agreement?

A.17 Without prejudging the work of the Panel, we know that they met with representatives from all across the country including FNESC.

This initiative in BC speaks to each of these issues. The agreement provides a formalized set of roles and responsibilities in respect of comparable education. It recognizes the role of FNESC as a second-level school service provider and provides for a dedicated source of funds for these activities. It also includes a funding model based on that of the province with targeted funding for language and cultural programming enhancement.

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AFN Supports Collaborative Steps Toward a BC First Nations Education System

OTTAWA, Jan. 27, 2012

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today congratulated the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the BC provincial government and the federal government for a successful negotiation and partnership to advance First Nation Control of First Nation Education.

This Tripartite Education Framework Agreement builds on the foundation for First Nations education in British Columbia which has been established over the past decade.

AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo noted, "Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of First Nation citizens. I want to congratulate all parties to the agreement for making this commitment to ensure First Nations learners in British Columbia have the opportunity to experience a quality, culturally-relevant, community-driven education which will enable them to find their path in life. In principle, this is about ensuring fairness and equity for students in all schools no matter where they are located. This is a sound approach for strengthening First Nations education."

"The BC Tripartite Education Framework Agreement is another example of BC leading the way in First Nations' education. The agreement is a practical model of how partnerships can work to ensure our children have the quality education they need and deserve," said BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson Raybould. She added, "Today's success is a testament to the determination of our First Nation leadership to drive solutions and put our children first. The federal and provincial governments are to be commended for working collaboratively, respectively and openly to achieve the Agreement reached today."

The agreement is supported by a new funding model that will result in BC First Nation schools being funded in the same way as a similarly sized and situated public school in the province. It provides for an additional $15 million annually to support BC First Nations in the operation of on-reserve schools, and to support FNESC in offering support services to schools.

"It is critical to advance First Nation designed solutions and bridge the funding gap for instructional services in First Nations schools. This agreement demonstrates the goodwill needed to move forward in this way. We must work to replicate success as appropriate for all jurisdictions right across the country securing quality First Nation education for all of our learners," National Chief Atleo stated. "Ensuring our education systems reflect our languages and cultures is an integral part of the success we see right across the country and this agreement paves the way to lock in this success for all future generations. This can only be achieved if we work together. We will not lose another generation. We need to start moving forward and turn the page to a new chapter, together."