New proposed legislation will outline collaboration between Indigenous peoples and education boards

The proposed changes were developed collaboratively with the First Nations Education Steering Committee and reflect consultation with First Nations and Indigenous people throughout B.C.

Indigenous students, particularly First Nation students living on reserve, face systemic barriers that result in inequitable outcomes in the K-12 system, and so the changes in this suite of amendments represent systemic, transformative and welcome changes.

Tyrone McNeil, president, First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC).

The proposed legislation will ensure that First Nations and Treaty First Nations have the option to apply a model local education agreement (LEA) with boards of education should a First Nation request it. LEAs govern the purchase of educational services by First Nations from boards of education, and set out a process for sharing information, collaboration and decision-making.

Changes to the School Act will require all boards to establish an Indigenous education council in their school district to ensure Indigenous people have input into decisions affecting Indigenous students. The membership and function of IECs will recognize the local First Nations in whose territories the board operates.

Through this legislation the Province hopes to provide comprehensive and equitable education and support services for Indigenous students. It will also include Indigenous perspectives for the benefit of all students, and advice on and approving the board’s spending plans and reports in relation to Indigenous education-targeted funds.

To further reconciliation the new school-of-choice provision in the School Act will enable First Nations to decide which school First Nations students who live on reserve, self-governing or Treaty Lands will attend.

by Sam Bennison

New proposed legislation will outline collaboration between Indigenous peoples and education boards

What's Trending