Engagement on First

Nations Education (K-12)

February 2017
 Evergreen

Presentation Objectives

To provide an overview of the overall engagement strategy

including community-level discussions (November 2016 to March
2017), technical task teams, survey, and leadership dialogue (April
to July 2017).

To share ideas and answer any concerns regarding the upcoming

activities.

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Background

The Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)

along with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), AFN Chiefs
Committee on Education (CCOE), and the National Indian
Education Council (NIEC) have been working closely to jointly
develop and implement an honourable process aimed at developing
recommendations to strengthen First Nation education (K-12).

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Four Components of Engagement 2016-2017

Fall 2016 January 2017 July 2017

Community- Leadership
Survey & Technical Task
level Dialogue
Social Media Teams
Discussions Events

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Community-level Discussions
In November 2016, a call for proposals was launched under the New Paths
for Education program for community-level discussions to provide funding
support to First Nations and First Nations organizations to engage parents
and communities on K-12 First Nations education transformation.
Community engagement ensured a broad range of community members in
renewed conversations on the transformation of on reserve education to
improve student outcomes. This will help inform the upcoming leadership
dialogue.
Indigenous Representative Organizations, regional First Nations education
organizations and unaffiliated First Nations submitted over 40 proposals,
and representing over 80% of First Nation communities in Canada.
Total approved funding $3.2 million

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Technical Task Teams

A series of thematic technical Task Teams, comprised of INAC

officials, Assembly of First Nations staff, and regional First Nations
education representatives have been established.

There are 5 technical teams:

1. Funding Mechanisms
2. Statutory Funding
3. Early Childhood Education
4. Post-Secondary Education
5. Measurement and Mutual Accountability

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Survey & Social Media

In February 2017, a survey was launched on the INAC website.

Paper copies of the survey were provided to each INAC Regional Office for
wider distribution such as communities with low connectivity to enable them
to provide their input.
The link to the survey and engagement information will be provided to
participants at the AFNs Education Directors Forum in Calgary.
The survey focused on the following themes:
Early years programs and services
Student success
Language and culture
Working with provincial schools

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Survey & Social Media

The survey will compliment community-level discussions, help inform

leadership dialogue, and seek input from First Nations on a variety of issues
of importance to First Nations education. An internal targeted focus group
was held to test the survey, and Health Canada and ESDC were consulted
on the development of the questions.
A social media campaign will support the engagement process and promote
the survey through the Government of Canada Indigenous peoples
webpage, hashtag #FNEducation, and social media posts (Facebook and
Twitter).
The survey results will be posted online in Summer 2017.

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Leadership Dialogue

The leadership dialogue will include face-to-face meetings across the

country with First Nations Chiefs, Directors of Education, Elders, youth,
and senior Government of Canada officials.
Initial planning suggests that will be approximately 14 two-day leadership
dialogue sessions held across Canada that will take place between April
and July 2017.
The purpose is to engage in a nation-to-nation dialogue to exchange
information, with a regional lens, to identify what First Nations Chiefs are
looking for education transformation, funding modernization to ensure
adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding. Transformative models
will be discussed and explored. Keeping in mind recent resolutions asking
for legislation. INAC will be interested to hear more from leadership.
INAC officials will work closely with First Nation organizations to ensure
that every First Nations Chief is invited to participate in this meaningful
dialogue.