KANEHSATAKE REDRESS PLAN AGREEMENT WITH INAC TO STUDY THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM JANUARY 2006 – September 2013 Prepared May 30, 2006

History: Pre-Redress Plan Critical Events that lead to Redress Plan Critical Events that lead to Redress Plan –PriceWaterhouse Coopers issues April 8, 2005 flyer to community stating: Lamennais building no longer to be rented from the Brothers for Ratihente High School – 2005; Lamennais building no longer to be rented from the Brothers for Ratihente High School – 2005; Since October 2004, a restructuring report for school organization recommended merger of elementary sector to Rotiwennakehte, relocation of Ratihente High School to Aronhiatekha; Since October 2004, a restructuring report for school organization recommended merger of elementary sector to Rotiwennakehte, relocation of Ratihente High School to Aronhiatekha; INAC projections show present and future enrolments will not support building another school. INAC projections show present and future enrolments will not support building another school.

Bold step taken by INAC and PriceWaterhouse Coopers Although the PWC flyer notes that the proposed mergers “need further discussion,” they also state: Although the PWC flyer notes that the proposed mergers “need further discussion,” they also state: –High school services will be provided by Lake of Two Mountains High School, with meetings with Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board scheduled for May 2005

An extraordinary parent committee responds The PriceWaterhouse Coopers and INAC plan are not acceptable The PriceWaterhouse Coopers and INAC plan are not acceptable Parents enlist the help of the First Nations Education Council’s Director, Lise Bastien Parents enlist the help of the First Nations Education Council’s Director, Lise Bastien –Two issues are identified: 1. Merging the elementary schools 2. Negotiating new facilities for secondary students of Kanehsatake.

1. Merging Elementary Schools Letters on file indicate that Rotiwennakehte was open to the idea Letters on file indicate that Rotiwennakehte was open to the idea Aronhiatekha was open to merger to save the high school but later reversed its decision Aronhiatekha was open to merger to save the high school but later reversed its decision Why? Why? –Issues of safety: cigarette shops pose a danger if raided and the need for fencing around the school –Would require building expansion to accommodate Aronhiatekha students –No consensus reached by the parents

2. Negotiating new facilities for Ratihente High School Lise Bastien assisted the parents to negotiate new facilities with INAC Lise Bastien assisted the parents to negotiate new facilities with INAC May 30, 2005 memo to parents needed them to agree as a precondition to building a secondary I through V high school: May 30, 2005 memo to parents needed them to agree as a precondition to building a secondary I through V high school: –To reducing the high school budget by $75,000. for –Amount resulted in staff cuts = 1.5 positions

The 3 rd INAC Condition to building a new high school INAC required and agreed to fund: INAC required and agreed to fund: –A review of the entire educational system to be conducted within the next two years ( ); The Research and Community Consultation Process The Research and Community Consultation Process –Improving current educational programs, services, organization –Producing a Five-Year Plan:( ) Student focused approach based on Needs/Unmet Needs Student focused approach based on Needs/Unmet Needs To address the current deficit To address the current deficit To identify any areas of unequitable funding by: To identify any areas of unequitable funding by: –Reporting all present and future costs, funding areas not presently funded or chronically underfunded To increase enrolment in community schools To increase enrolment in community schools

Finally, the Redress Plan will: –Make recommendations that will be deposited with INAC, MCK and KEC –This review would then include: Organizational structures Organizational structures Educational programs Educational programs Subsequent financial redress Subsequent financial redress Note: the original date of starting the Redress Plan was August 2005 and ending in September MCK agreed that the actual start date of January 2006 should extend the end date to Note: the original date of starting the Redress Plan was August 2005 and ending in September MCK agreed that the actual start date of January 2006 should extend the end date to 2013.

Present obstacles to conducting the Redress Plan –INAC and Co-Manager of MCK insisting that: $240,000. be cut from the education budget immediately for school year; $240,000. be cut from the education budget immediately for school year; –Only option to this action is:  Cutting staff throughout education  Cutting or reducing services throughout education  Keep in mind this amount does not include April-July – may demand additional cuts

Catch-22 Situation The $240,000. budget cuts create: The $240,000. budget cuts create: –Instability in an already fragile community –Instability in community schools –Distrust, fear of losing jobs –RESULTS: More parents pulling their children out to attend schools outside the community More parents pulling their children out to attend schools outside the community Additional loss of funding for schools: based on number of students tied to number of teaching staff - FEWER STUDENTS = FEWER TEACHERS Additional loss of funding for schools: based on number of students tied to number of teaching staff - FEWER STUDENTS = FEWER TEACHERS

What can we do? Ask that INAC and the Co-Manager respect the timeframes of the Redress Plan Ask that INAC and the Co-Manager respect the timeframes of the Redress Plan Result: Result: –Time to adequately prepare, fully inform and consult the community and all stakeholders –Allow time for the new KMBE Board Member Training and Director of Education to effectively review the present education situation; then, –Analyze, discuss and recommend what can be negotiated in small steps to ensure that any actions do not affect the quality of education in Kanehsatake.

What does “Redress” mean? Redress v. 1. remedy or rectify (a wrong or grievance, etc.). 2. readjust; set straight again. n. 1. reparation for a wrong. 2. the act or process of redressing (a grievance, etc.) ▫redress the balance: restore the balance Source: The Canadian Oxford Dictionary

Consultation Requires: Good faith conduct Good faith conduct Exchange of material information Exchange of material information A consideration of the implications on [A]boriginal interests of proposed courses of action (17(a). A consideration of the implications on [A]boriginal interests of proposed courses of action (17(a). Participants in consultations should be provided with adequate, accurate and timely information to enable them to participate effectively (General Principles, 6). Participants in consultations should be provided with adequate, accurate and timely information to enable them to participate effectively (General Principles, 6). When decisions are taken, consultation should include explanations of the nature and implications of those decisions and their relationship to the consultation process (General Principles, 8). When decisions are taken, consultation should include explanations of the nature and implications of those decisions and their relationship to the consultation process (General Principles, 8). “It is still important for federal departments to manage them [programs and services] in a way that is consistent with the honour of the Crown…done through appropriate consultation with Aboriginal groups when programming or funding changes or new programs or requirements are being considered (11). “It is still important for federal departments to manage them [programs and services] in a way that is consistent with the honour of the Crown…done through appropriate consultation with Aboriginal groups when programming or funding changes or new programs or requirements are being considered (11).

Source Fiduciary Relationship of the Crown with Aboriginal Peoples: Implementation and Management Issues, A Guide for Managers Report of an Interdependent Working Group To the Committee of Deputy Ministers On Justice and Legal Affairs October 1995