Four First Nations in BC gain control over on-reserve education

First Nations in British Columbia have been working to have jurisdiction over their education for decades. The Province of B.C., Canada, and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003.
At a ceremony on Seabird Island First Nation Reserve, four First Nations celebrated landmark agreements on July 1, 2022, with the Federal Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, solidifying their right to self-govern their own school systems. This recognition is a critical component of First Nations rights, as well as a meaningful part of reconciliation to improve education for First Nations in BC.
In May 2022, under the signed education jurisdiction agreements with Cowichan Tribes, Lil’wat, Seabird Island and ʔaq’am, these four communities now have their own law-making authority over their education systems for kindergarten to grade 12 education systems. Jurisdiction over education is the formal recognition by the federal and provincial governments of a First Nation’s right to make decisions about the education of its children, particularly with teacher certification, school certification, graduation requirements, curriculum and course approvals. They will have the authority to create their own school board or collaborate with other First Nations communities.
The First Nations Education Authority (FNEA) is an independent body that assists First Nations in BC that have assumed jurisdiction over their K-12 education systems. FNEA is working in partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) to support new First Nations as they join the education jurisdiction initiative.
In 2023, The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), Canim Lake Band and Ditidaht First Nation all signed agreements with Canada and BC to have jurisdiction over their education. Several other First Nations in BC are in the process of concluding their agreements.
Seabird Island Band community members sang and drummed at their ceremony.

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Fabulous!