Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SLCN Education Law May-3-2016
SLCN Education Law May-3-2016
kiskinowahamakosiwin ekwa
kiskinowahamtowin
wiyasiwwin
Table of Contents
PREAMBLE ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Philosophy of Education ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Vision ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Interpretation ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
CURRICULUM ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
STANDARDS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 16
STUDENTS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
APPENDIX I: Part II - Chief & Council Band Council Resolution (Text Version) ............................................... 20
APPENDIX II: The Turtle Lodge: Our Way of Life: Indigenous Education ...................................................... 23
APPENDIX IV: Our Land Law Saddle Lake Cree Nation (Onihcikiskwapowin) ................................................... 38
APPENDIX V: Information Brief On First Nations Education Act (For onichikiskwapowin Elders) ................... 42
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................................... 44
RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 45
kiskinowahamakosiwin ekwa kiskinowahamtowin
wiyasiwwin
PREAMBLE
The onihcikiskwapowin - Saddle Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) Constitution (2003) (Appendix III)
is the foundational document from which all onihcikiskwapowin Laws derive. Under the
Constitution (2003), the Peoples of onihcikiskwapowin grant the onkanwak the authority to set
out laws.
Indigenous Peoples have never relinquished nor extinguished jurisdiction over our right to
educate our children. This is referenced in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples (Appendix II: Turtle Lodge Treaty under 5.1-5.3, 2013).
Our jurisdiction exceeds the boundaries of our reserved lands and includes lands that fall within
the Nation-to-Nation 1867 Treaty No. 6 as recognized in our oral understanding of Treaty.
Therefore, we maintain that Canada and the province of Alberta have no jurisdiction over our
lands and Peoples.
Further, our Peoples understand that our lands and laws are inherent rights given to us by our
Creator. The Treaty rights promised to us during Treaty making are portable and are in addition
to our inherent right.
Philosophy of Education
We the Peoples of onihcikiskwapowin - Saddle Lake Cree Nation have a firm belief in Natural
Law (kindness, honesty, sharing, determination), which guides and maintains our distinct way of
life. We are committed to
kiskinohamakosowin ekwa kiskinohamasowiwin ekwa mina kiskinohamtowin, guided by
Natural Law to ensure esohkahk nhiyaw mamintoneycikan.
Vision
Education is a Treaty right and the onihcikiskwapowin (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) Education
Authority will, through continuous development, maintenance, accountability, provide quality
education, which will encompass healthy lifestyles, traditions, language, culture and modern
technology and shall utilize Indigenous knowledges of First Nations Peoples to promote self-
sufficiency and empower onihcikiskwapowin (Saddle Lake Cree Nation).
Mission Statement
The onihcikiskwapowin Saddle Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) is committed to nurturing
wholeness in the individual and the community through our nhiyaw learning processes. We
offer personalized learning experiences for the benefit of all generations: past, present, future.
Under the principles outlined in our Constitution (2003), the onihcikiskwapowin (Saddle
Lake Cree Nation) is exercising our inherent right as a Sovereign Nation to control our
own destiny. As a Nation we possess the ability to exercise control and direction over the
education of each generation as set out in the nhiyaw laws of miyo-opihkinwasiwin,
whkhtowin and many others that are not written but found in our ceremonies. This is a
living document that will evolve to meet the educational needs and aspirations of our
Nation now and in the future.
This Education Law gives voice to onihcikiskwapowin Peoples inherent right and responsibility
as confirmed by our sacred inherent knowledge that is maintained, recognized and exercised by
individuals and the collective of the onihcikiskwapowin. These values are upheld by The Turtle
Lodge Treaty: Our Way of Life: Indigenous Education (Appendix II).
This Education Law is in conformity with the negotiation and conclusion of Treaty No. 6, the
treaty we made with the Crown in Right of Great Britain and witnessed by the Creator. The
Government of Canadas legal obligation to uphold treaty on behalf of the Crown; therefore must
provide sufficient resources to meet the needs to educate onihcikiskwapowin as understood at the
time of Treaty No. 6. (1876).
This Education Law provides the authority to operate the education system in
onihcikiskwapowin. onkanwak of the onihcikiskwapowin have delegated the operation of
education to the SLCN Education Authority empowered under the onihcikiskwapowin
Constitution. onihcikiskwapowin mandates the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education
Authority to carry out the provisions of this document.
This law guides and directs the education of each student as a clan or relational obligation as
understood and applied by each Indigenous Nation within a living tradition where the student is
the center of the Nation. Indigenous jurisdiction and authority of teaching, language, and practice
is a lifelong right and obligation. It is the original educational system in a relational-based
context and is enduring. The operational mechanism for implementing this Education Law is
contained in the accompanying regulations (Saddle Lake Cree Nation Education Policy Manual)
or other policy as approved by the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN).
replaces any other wiyasiwwinak (Laws), which have been formerly passed
by the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) or any regulatory bodies.
Interpretation
Interpretation of Term
3. In this Law:
a) Crown means the sacred covenant/ accord (kihci -asotomatowin) made by
our ancestors and visionaries in Treaty No. 6 with the Crown in Right of Great
Britain and witnessed by the Creator. The Treaty relationship is an
international treaty and identifies the legal obligation of the Government of
Canada as the Successor State to fund all aspects of education for the
onihcikiskwapowin Peoples as one of the Treaty promises;
b) Cultural Standards defined as standards adopted and set for Program
Graduates, Instructional Practice, Curriculum Design, Operational
Characteristics, and Parent /Nation Involvement based on nhiyaw
mamitoneyicikan;
c) Education Authority is defined as an appointed body ratified by the
onkanwak to oversee and administer Education for onihcikiskwapowin
(SLCN) members and onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education Institutions;
d) Elders Council means a council of Elders appointed through our traditional
protocol practices that serve as an advisory body for onicikiskwapowin. This
body also consists of knowledge keepers;
e) Faculty means the collective teaching staff including instructional
assistants and any other staff;
f) Fiscal year means a period of twelve consecutive calendar months between
certain fixed dates, which will be used by the Education Authority for the
purpose of budgets, finance, and accounts;
g) Guardian/ Caregiver means a person who is not the natural parent of a
child and who assumed responsibility for the care of that child;
h) Holistic is defined as including land, animals, persons, and all that is living.
i) Home Schooling means the method of instruction chosen by the parent(s)
and/ or guardian(s) in accordance with the provisions of this law. Funding for
homeschooling also follows the child;
j) Indigenous Knowledge means knowledge that comes from kise manitow
(our Creator) that is retained by knowledge keepers and developed by our own
Peoples;
k) Institute means an educational establishment in which training is given in
the trades and technologies, professions, arts, cultural ceremonies or in which
research is undertaken;
l) Instructor means a professional person or a technician who holds a valid
certificate of qualification as approved by onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN)
ONIHCIKISKWAPOWIN JURISDICTION/GOVERNANCE
All power and authority is invested in the will of the Peoples. The Peoples will mandate
onkanwak to enact legislation in the area of Life Long Learning.
Exclusively of Law
4. The onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) onkanwak exercise control of education
exclusively by this Law;
5. and in accordance with the provisions of this Law and SLEA, will negotiate in
accordance to Treaty No. 6;
8. The Education Authority will provide all statutory reports, audits, and evaluations to
the onihcikiskwapowin onkanwak.
d) make itself aware of forces, circumstances, issues and trends which might
affect the educational policies and programs of the onihcikiskwapowin
(SLCN);
e) review the objectives and needs and evaluate the progress of
onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education;
f) prepare an onihcikiskwapowin Education Annual Plan and reviewed annually
which includes the following:
i) attends to the spiritual beliefs of the onihcikiskwapowin and to its
social, cultural, economic, and political objectives;
ii) identifies the housing, sanitation, nutritional, general health, and safety
needs of the onihcikiskwapowinowak that relates to the
onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) educational programs;
iii) contains an analysis of the present and future social, economic, and
political circumstances of the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) with
particular reference to its future technological, professional, skilled
and general labour requirements;
iv) reflects the objectives of onihcikiskwapowin onkanwak;
v) estimates the future requirements of onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN)
Educational institutions, programs, staffing, facilities and auxiliary
services in onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) based on student projections;
vi) budget and estimates the costs and cash-flow requirements of the
onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education Plan;
g) submit the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education Plan for approval to the
onihcikiskwapowin onkanwak;
h) prepares annual budgets, financial accounts, operational reports, and
evaluations (inclusive of salaries) to be carried out as required by and in
accordance with the provisions of this Law; and
i) advise the onihcikiskwapowin onkanwak regarding the compulsory
attendance of school-aged children, and counsel truant students, their parent(s)
or guardian(s), family and friends and issue attendance orders to the students
and their parent(s) or guardian(s).
i) In the case of non-compliance by the students or their parent(s) or
guardian(s), make a report to the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN)
government and the personnel of the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCNs)
social, justice or other auxiliary and appropriate services and have
consequences that impact the truant students TO continue their
education.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum
15. The Education Authority shall be responsible for supporting the lifelong learning of
onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) students ensuring that all educational entities, which
come under their jurisdiction, shall follow a curriculum that is consistent with and
supports the aims and objectives of onihcikiskwapowin.
School Curriculum
16. The curriculum for schools shall be constituted as follows:
a) core programming prescribed by the Education Authority;
i) of cultural and traditional Indigenous knowledge including
onihcikiskwapowin history, Treaty and nhiyawewin as approved by
the Elders Council and ratified by the Education Authority; and
ii) of onihcikiskwapowin laws;
Definition Education
17. The content of onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education will include nhiyawiwin
traditional practices, and history. This will include beliefs, attitudes, values and
practices, which are implicit in the integrated onihcikiskwapowin worldview. This
worldview shall be the context and give meaning to every subject taught in the
Education Authoritys schools.
Spirituality
18. In the matter of iyinw tapowaketamowin (spirituality):
a) onihcikiskwapowin tapowaketamowin will be considered an integral aspect of
the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) way of life, it will be included as part of the
curriculum of every school, college, university, and institute of the Education
Authority to the extent and in a manner which the Education Authority will
determine, and
b) onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) ceremonies will be practiced in the Education
Authoritys schools to the extent and in a manner, which the Education
Authority and Elders Council will determine.
SLCN Languages
19. In the matter of onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Languages:
a) preservation and continuation of nhiyawewin is priority;
STANDARDS
20. The Education Authority will determine Cultural Standards and all other standards
acceptable in the onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) schools.
21. Educational Standards will reflect onihcikisiskwapowin (SLCN) values, beliefs, and
cultural practices.
22. The content of onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education will include nhiyawiwin
traditional practices, and history. This will include beliefs, attitudes, values and
practices, which are implicit in the integrated onihcikiskwapowin worldview. This
worldview shall be the context and give meaning to every subject taught in the
Education Authoritys schools.
Board will use the funds exclusively for onihcikiskwapowin (SLCN) Education
according to terms under which the funds will be provided and according to the
budgets and plans formulated by the Education Authority (financial management
policy):
a) The Education Authority shall ensure that equitable financial due diligence is
followed so they do not incur a deficit. Any deficit must be planned and
approved by the onihcikiskwapowin onkanwak.
b) There should be at minimum, equitable finances to meet the educational needs
of all the school age children who attend on reserve.
STUDENTS
28. See and reference onihcikiskwapowin (SLEA) Education Policy
STUDENT MANAGEMENT
29. See and reference onihcikiskwapowin (SLEA) Education Policy
APPENDIX I: Part II - Chief & Council Band Council Resolution (Text Version)
ASSERTING THAT the best interests of our children and families are paramount and where
onihcikiskwapowin parents have the right and a responsibility to make decisions
respecting kahkyaw - e-miciminitmakahki (Lifelong Education) of their
children and themselves;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this wiyasiwwin (law) shall be guided by and shall
incorporate the following principles and considerations:
APPENDIX II: The Turtle Lodge: Our Way of Life: Indigenous Education
WE, the Cree Nation of onihcikiskwapowin ministik, believe in the supremacy and power of the
Creator. The Creator has provided the Saddle Lake Cree Nation its spiritual beliefs, language,
culture, laws, natural rights, lands, responsibilities, freedoms, the rights to self-determination,
the right to govern its relationships and to live in harmony with nature and mankind.
THEREFORE, in accordance to the principles of the Cree Nations traditions and customs, and in
recognition to the spirit and intent of Treaty Six and in accordance with the Royal
Proclamation of 1763:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation duly assembled and are
desirous of joining together for their generous benefit and mutual advantage, they, by motion
and resolution, solemnly declare this document serve as their onihcikiskwapowin kihci
wiysowewin and will be governed accordingly by its fundamental laws and principles:
STATEMENT:
7. Said bylaws may provide for the establishment of adhoc or standing committees or
commissions deemed necessary and proper to the carrying out of the duties and
responsibilities of the Assembly;
8. All actions, resolutions and recommendations to be acted upon shall be subject to the
fiscal resources of onihcikiskwapowin.
C. Acts and Regulations
D. Quorum of Assembly
E. Meetings:
Information Band Meeting
Special Band Meeting
General Band Meeting
Band Membership Meeting
1. Resolutions and/or recommendations made by the Assembly shall, where appropriate,
be tabled with Chief and Council after which, Chief and Council shall report back to the
Assembly concerning disposition of same;
2. A quorum of the Assembly shall consist of five (5) percent of the total eligible resident
voters with a minimum of no less than fifty (50) persons present;
3. The taking of ballots unless provided by the bylaws of the Assembly shall be by a simple
majority of the required quorum.
SECTION IV: DELEGATED LEGISLATIVE POWERS
A. All delegated legislative powers shall be exercised by an elected Chief and Council acting
together which include the following:
1. Fiscal and financial affairs including the establishment of fiscal institutions deemed
proper and necessary;
2. Health and Safety;
3. Education
4. Housing
5. Roads, bridges and maintenance of same;
6. Capital improvements and public works; user fees
7. Citizenship and residency where not inconsistent with or contrary to those exclusive
powers of the Peoples Assembly.
8. Marriage and divorce;
9. Wills, trust and property distribution;
10. Social services for family, children, elderly and needy;
11. Entering into agreements with other governments;
12. Regulations of land use in consultation with the citizens of onihcikiskwapowin Nation;
13. Establishment of justice systems not inconsistent with or contrary to this Customary
Law;
14. Social, cultural enhancement, including museums, cultural centres and activities;
15. Declaration of holidays, festivals and special occasions;
A. All delegated Executive Administrative powers shall be those powers exercised in the
Administration of the onihcikiskwapowin as prescribed by Chief and Council and which shall
include the following:
1. The Chief shall be the Ex-Officio of the tribe;
2. There shall be a Director or Administration who shall function in a manner prescribed
by an Administrative code;
3. No Administrative Officer or personnel, permanent or temporary, shall, unless,
authorized by Chief and Council, encumber, sign or make changes against the Nation
including any fiscal, physical or other assets;
4. All administrative personnel, permanent and/or temporary, shall perform their duties
in a non-political manner without partiality.
A. All delegated powers of justice shall be those powers as prescribed by the Peoples
Assembly and which shall include the following:
1. All powers of justice shall be administered with the regard for fairness, impartiality and
natural justice;
2. There shall be a Justice Committee who shall:
i. Be composed of five (5) Commissioners to be selected by consensus by the
Peoples Assembly as determined by a Justice Code;
ii. Supervise the justice system and its operations;
iii. Recommend changes, reforms and amendments to codes and regulation including
the justice code and regulations pertaining thereto;
iv. Nominate persons to Chief and Council appointment as Peacemakers;
v. Nominate persons to Chief and Council as appointments as Chief Juror and
Associate Jurors of the Justice Tribunal.
3. There shall be Peacemakers whose powers shall be to investigate, mediate and where
consented to by the parties involved, arbitrate and shall, where appropriate and/or as
determined by the Justice Code make referrals to the Justice Tribunal;
4. There shall be a Justice Tribunal consisting of a Chief Juror and two (2) Associate Jurors
whose powers shall be to mediate and where necessary, arbitrate and, decisions of the
Justice Tribunal shall be final and binding for all parties concerned.
A. Trust Powers are and shall be those powers of a beneficiary with the Federal Crown in trust
entered into Treaty Six, 1876 related to 1763 Royal Proclamation and other Statutes.
A. Amendments to this Constitution shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:
1. No amendments shall be made to this Constitution at any time during the first year
after ratification;
2. Amendments may be initiated by Chief and Council, by the people upon the
presentation with no less than fifty (50) names on the petition of the eligible resident
voters or by the Peoples Assembly by a simple majority of the required quorum;
3. All amendments shall be approved by not less than a simple majority of the total
eligible resident voters:
4. Amendments upon approval by the required number of votes shall take effect
immediately.
B. Ratification of the Constitution shall require not less than a simple majority of the total
resident eligible voters of onihcikiskwapowin.
C. This Constitution of onihcikiskwapowin shall upon ratification by the required number of
votes take effect immediately and become the CONSTITUTION OF THE SADDLE LAKE CREE
NATION.
Signed by:
APPENDIX IV: Our Land Law Saddle Lake Cree Nation (Onihcikiskwapowin)
REFERENCES
RESOURCES
Elders
UNDRIP: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf
PM Harper Bill C-33 First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act Announcement -
APTN: http://educationvideos.xyz/first-nations-education-harper-announcement-on-kainai-
nation-85073/
DRAFT COMMENTS:
BCR Signing Scheduled Date for Chief & Council Acceptance of Education Law: May 3, 2016