Our Children Our Future Our Vision - People for Education

Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision
10. New Agenda Report on Information/Discussion Sessions
By Julia Candlish, COO Education Coordinator
Background
First Nations education has been a priority for the Chiefs of Ontario for decades and First Nation
leadership in Ontario value education as a means to achieving self-determination and redressing
the negative impacts of colonial practices. In 2000 the Chiefs in Assembly instituted the establishment
of the Ontario Education Coordination Unit. Since then the Unit has been engaged in identifying
the educational needs of First Nations in Ontario and recommending ways to meet these
lifelong learning requirements. As the Chiefs in Ontario respond to changing federal and provincial
political environments they provide mandates to the Education Unit as necessary to ensure First
Nations in Ontario can chart their own path towards a First Nations education system that has a
solid foundation based on First Nations inherent and Treaty rights to education.
Activities related to the objective of charting a First Nations path forward in education has led to
many activities that continuously build on previous accomplishments. In 2004 a comprehensive
compendium of education matters was created as a means of providing a foundation for change
in First Nations education. The resulting document, The New Agenda: A Manifesto for First Nations
Education in Ontario continues to inform and support this ongoing process.
The Strategic Planning and Policy Forum held in May 2010 gathered First Nations educators,
administrators, and leaders in education to build on the Manifesto and provide further direction
forward. The Policy Forum clearly indicated the importance of addressing issues related to funding
and control as a means to improving First Nations education in Ontario. These previous activities
prompted a recent All Chiefs resolution requesting the creation of a “made-in-Ontario” report (Report)
that focuses efforts on understanding resourcing constraints and issues of control as a means
of addressing longstanding issues and improving education outcomes for First Nations learners.
Just as the Manifesto provided a foundation for change, and the Policy Forum identified broad and
overarching concerns, the Report will serve to consolidate information and provide a catalyst for
action.
The New Agenda Working Group (NAWG) was formed and tasked to produce a “made-in-Ontario”
report to the National Chief and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Canada. The real value in the report is understood to reside in its ability to launch First Nations in
Ontario into the action phase of the path that was begun over a decade ago.
The New Agenda Working Group includes representatives from the Chiefs of Ontario Education Coordination
Unit and those Tribal Councils involved in the delivery of second level services related
to education. Upon review of the mandate received the NAWG designed a work plan to ensure the
report would include an analysis of previous recommendations to encourage building on what has
81 Chiefs of Ontario