1. Education Jurisdiction
What it Means to Communities
Presentation created by FNESC for First Nations communities and schools.
Spring 2006

2. Education Jurisdiction
What is it?
Jurisdiction is a legal term
Power and authority to govern and control K-12 education on reserve
Community authority is recognized by federal and provincial governments
This is Phase 1. Later phases could include Early Childhood and Post-Secondary.
31/05/2019

3. Education Jurisdiction: Our Vision
Culture
Language
History
Our Values
Our Methods
These aspects of our vision will be clearly and positively held within our jurisdiction over education.
31/05/2019

4. Education Jurisdiction: We Will Control…
Curriculum
Teachers, including standards
Class size
Testing/Assessments
Learning Philosophy and Teaching Methods
Goals – what we hope to achieve
More information regarding teacher standards etc. Notes regarding negotiations with the BCCT
Clarify that we will be building on provincial standards
All aspects of education are within our control. Education will be relevant to communities’ and learners’ needs.
31/05/2019

5. Education Jurisdiction: Empowers…
Our local government
Our parents
Our children
Our schools
Our Elders, community experts
Jurisdiction develops our capacity within the community.
31/05/2019

6. Education Jurisdiction: Benefits our Children
We will have the opportunity to…
Set higher curriculum and teacher standards
Use better, more flexible teaching methods
Create a better learning environment
Teach language, culture, community values
Better prepare students for post-secondary through higher standards
Our children will receive a better education based on community values.
31/05/2019

7. Education Jurisdiction: Flexible and Respectful
Community and needs based
People oriented, not system oriented
Respects culture, people
Respects non-First Nations
What does it mean that you can change things easily
Able to change community law or regulations faster or more easily school policies…..
We will be able to change things in our education system more easily.
31/05/2019

8. Education Jurisdiction: Above and Beyond
High standards
Build on provincial standards for core courses
Create own approach to other courses, i.e. English 12 based on Aboriginal Literature
Grant own graduation certificate as well as Dogwood
First Nations languages may now be recognized as a second language credit
We can succeed without having to change who we are.
31/05/2019

9. Education Jurisdiction: Developmental
Fits treaty, self-government, self determination negotiations
Allows test-driving of education pre-treaty
First step to life-long learning
Strengthens expertise within the community
Add comment that this will not override treaty agreements , treaty agreements will override this agreement
Jurisdiction over K-12 on-reserve education will build capacity for further areas.
31/05/2019

10. Education Jurisdiction: Fair Funding
FNSA/FNEA certified schools will receive tuition funding for all students on and off reserve.
One-time developmental funding
Funding will be available for implementation costs such as legal and insurance costs
CLARIFY WHO THE FUNDING FOR ALL STUDENTS MEANS
More detail regarding one-time funding
IMPLEMENTATION COSTS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE FUNDING TIED TO BLOCK RATE
31/05/2019

11. Education Jurisdiction: What Changes?
Our right to make decisions in education will be formally recognized
Will control curriculum, school and teacher standards
We can graduate our own children
We have our own system of K-12 education
We are no longer under the Indian Act for K-12 on-reserve education (sections )
31/05/2019

12. Education Jurisdiction: How Will it Work?
Jurisdiction authority rests with the First Nation
FN passes law to set vision and guidelines for education system
Law may also create a Community Education Authority (CEA)
CEA operates the education system
CEA can take many forms (single community, single school, multiple communities, multiple schools, etc.)
CEA delegates some responsibilities to a regional First Nations Education Authority (FNEA).
31/05/2019

13. Education Jurisdiction: How Will it Work?
First Nations Education Authority (FNEA):
Is a legal entity but not another bureaucracy
Is made up of 2 representatives from each First Nation participating in jurisdiction
Exercises areas of jurisdiction common to all communities:
Teacher Certification
School Certification
Curriculum and examination standards
31/05/2019

14. Education Jurisdiction: How Will it Work?
FNEA will receive administrative services from First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) like the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) does
First Nations and schools will still receive support from FNESC and FNSA
There will be training and other support for Participating First Nations
Turn into a visual…. Or shorten up
Use other slide from FNSA presentation
31/05/2019

15. Education Jurisdiction: Next Steps
Framework Agreements will be signed by BC, Canada and FNESC as early as June 2006
Federal and Provincial legislation as early as December 2006
After that, up to 36 month transition period for communities to develop systems
FNEA should be up and running this year
31/05/2019

16. For more information
Read about Jurisdiction online at
Contact the office of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) toll-free at or
31/05/2019

17. Education Jurisdiction
What it Means to Communities
Presentation created by FNESC and the FNSA for First Nations communities and schools.
Spring 2006