FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENT 5.3FSAboriginal Education BCSTA respects the heritage, histories, and cultures of Aboriginal* peoples. BCSTA encourages and promotes active participation of Aboriginal peoples in all aspects of the public education system of British Columbia. *“Aboriginal” includes First Nations, status and non status; Métis; and Inuit. In the BC school system, students are identified as of Aboriginal ancestry based on self- identification.

FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENT 5.3.1P Aboriginal Education and General Curriculum BCSTA supports the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives within the broader curriculum PFirst Nations’ Languages BCSTA supports initiatives and programs that will ensure the survival and revitalization of First Nations’ languages in British Columbia.

BCSTA BYLAWS The mandate of the (Aboriginal Education) Committee is understood to encompass issues affecting the education of all students who declare their Aboriginal descent. The duties of the Aboriginal Education Committee shall include: –to represent the interests of Boards of Education in Aboriginal education matters in cooperation and liaison with Aboriginal groups; –to heighten knowledge, awareness and understanding of Aboriginal values, cultures and perspectives in the education system in order to enhance learning; –to disseminate information to relevant constituent groups, in order to foster an atmosphere that will promote dialogue at the local level between boards of education and Aboriginal communities; –to identify and address issues related to provincial policy and implementation processes that have an impact on Aboriginal education; and –to develop recommendations on Aboriginal education matters, including consideration of funding implications, for action by the Education Committee, Provincial Council and/or Board of Directors, as appropriate.

AB ED RESOLUTIONS 2013 Residential School Education (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations #4 and #5 – Education) That BCSTA support recommendations #4 and #5 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Interim Report, 2012” and therefore urge: A.the Ministry of Education to undertake a review of the curriculum materials currently in use in public schools to assess what, if anything, they teach about residential schools; and B.the Ministry of Education and the appropriate Aboriginal educational partners to work in concert with the Commission to develop age-appropriate educational materials about residential schools for use in public schools. Residential School Education (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendation #6 - Education) That BCSTA support recommendation #6 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Interim Report, 2012” and therefore urge the BC Provincial Government to work with the Commission to develop public-education campaigns to inform the general public about the history and impact of residential schools in British Columbia.

AB ED RESOLUTIONS 2013 Residential School Education (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendation #7 – Language & Traditional Knowledge) That BCSTA support recommendation #7 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Interim Report, 2012” and therefore urge the Government of Canada and the churches to establish an ongoing cultural revival fund designed to fund projects that promote the traditional spiritual, cultural, and linguistic heritages of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. Residential School Education (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendation #8 – Parenting Skills) That BCSTA support recommendation #8 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Interim Report, 2012” and therefore urge the BC Provincial Government to work with partner groups to develop culturally appropriate early childhood and parent programs to assist young parents and families affected by the impact of residential schools and historic policies of cultural oppression in the development of parental understanding and skills.

AB ED RESOLUTIONS 2013 BCSTA Professional Development Events That an Aboriginal education themed learning opportunity be included at future BCSTA professional development events including AGM and trustee Academies. National Aboriginal Trustees Gathering 2014 That BCSTA apply to host the National Aboriginal Trustees Gathering in First Nations’ Language Programs That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education to continue to fund First Nations’ languages programs throughout the Province and provide further funding to assist in recruiting and mentoring new First Nations’ languages teachers.

AB ED RESOLUTIONS OCTOBER 2012 / FEBRUARY 2013 Residential School Education That the negative impacts of residential schools and aboriginal education issues be part of the BCSTA’s strategy with respect to the 2013 provincial election Recognition of Aboriginal Learners’ Demonstrated Knowledge of Culture and Traditions That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education, in its initiative to broaden recognition of learning that takes place outside of educational programs provided by boards of education, to fairly recognize and acknowledge within the BC Education Plan the Aboriginal culture and traditional experiences of learners. Improved Services to Internet Access That BCSTA urge the provincial government to ensure that the most rural and remote areas, including First Nations communities, are included in the improved services to Internet access.

AB ED RESOLUTIONS OCTOBER 2010 Support for a Superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement That the negative impacts of residential schools and aboriginal education issues be part of the BCSTA’s strategy with respect to the 2013 provincial election E2: Increased Size of the Aboriginal Education Committee That BCSTA Bylaw 11g be amended to read as follows: The president shall appoint an Aboriginal Education Committee within two (2) weeks of the president assuming office. The Committee shall consist of nine (9) voting members appointed by the president, one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Directors (other than the executive director) who shall also act as a liaison between the Committee and the Board of Directors.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Joyce Cooper (Co-Chair)SD27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) Cecelia Reekie (Co-Chair)SD35 (Langley) Larry CasperSD74 (Gold Trail) Linda DolenSD81 (Fort Nelson) Barry ForwardSD44 (North Vancouver) Kim GoetzingerSD50 (Haida Gwaii) Gloria JacksonSD28 (Quesnel) Anne Marie SamSD91 (Nechako Lakes) Trish BellaBCSTA Board of Directors Sherri Moore-ArbourBCSTA Staff Support

THE ABED COMMITTEE LOGO Adopted from the Aboriginal-themed 2013 BCSTA Annual General Meeting

CURRENT PROJECTS All My Relations MagazineAll My Relations Magazine 2014 National Aboriginal Trustees Gathering

PAST PROJECTS 2012 Aboriginal-themed BCSTA Annual General Meeting 2013 Aboriginal Education Committee survey

FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE OF BC

BC SCHOOL COMPLETION Aboriginal Report 2007/ /12 The report includes Aboriginal students who have self-identified as being of Aboriginal ancestry (First Nations: status and non-status; Metis, and Inuit) on September 30th. You will notice changes to historical and trend data. Once a student has self-identified as being of Aboriginal ancestry, the student is included in all reported outcomes for Aboriginal students.