Our Children Our Future Our Vision - People for Education

Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision
8. New Agenda Survey Results Report
First Nation Education Governance and Control in Ontario: A New Agenda
Results of the Survey by Barry M. Montour, Ph.D.
Introduction to the Study
The New Agenda Working Group constructed a survey instrument to gain feedback on issues
impacting First Nations students, teachers, parents, and schools. It was designed to give voice to
those directly affected by any changes to the funding and delivery of educational services to First
Nations students in Ontario.
The instrument received input from a wide audience of stakeholders in First Nations education: teachers,
educational assistants, counselors, school and board administrators, parents, guardians/care-givers,
First Nation politicians, and band council administrators, among others. The survey was voluntary,
but was accessible through the Chiefs of Ontario website, at four sessions held in Ontario, and
through mass e-mailing to various organizations, institutes, band councils, tribal councils, and schools.
The purpose of the survey is to complement the final report submission from the Chiefs of Ontario
to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and the National
Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) regarding improving First Nation education from an
Ontario perspective.
Survey Format
In addition to four (4) demographic questions, the instrument contained thirty-two (32) questions
under ten (10) categories, and allowed for respondents to provide commentary after each category,
as well as an open section for final comments at the end of the survey. Due to an oversight during
the design of the survey for the on-line version, a comment box was omitted under the category of
Legislation. Therefore, there are no comments in the analysis section for that category.
Questions were drafted by members of the New Agenda Working Group, who have areas of expertise
in early learning, post-secondary, teaching, policy analysis, special education, and legislation,
due to their respective positions in Political Territorial Organizations (PTO), tribal councils,
Aboriginal institutes, the Chiefs of Ontario, and First Nation schools. The survey was field tested at
the London District Education Council meeting in August, and suggestions and recommendations
were then incorporated into the on-line survey.
The survey included both quantitative (forced-choice items) and qualitative (open comments)
responses. Data collection was primarily independent with the on-line version of the survey at 67%
(n=168), and 33% (n=81) completed at group sessions with the responses then entered manually.
57 Chiefs of Ontario