The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre staff was present at the Assembly of First Nations, Special Chiefs’ Assembly of Education in Gatineau, Quebec, October 1-3, 2012. Chiefs and educational leaders from across the country were in attendance for this three-day event.Key themes included; Treaty & Inherent Rights, First Nations Education Systems, Funding, Language & Culture and Lifelong Learning. On the first day, the MFNERC’s Associate Director, Gwen Merrick and Director of Support Services, Violet Okemaw, did a presentation entitled, A Systemic Approach to First Nations Education to the delegation of four hundred. Following the regional presentations, a panel on the Federal Strategy on First Nations education created intense dialogue amongst the delegates and panelists. Another outstanding panel was on the Human Rights Challenge on the Underfunding of First Nations Schools.
On the second day, a session was held on recommendations for First Nations Education Strategy & Mandate for First Nations control of First Nations education that would be locally determined, regionally driven and nationally supported. On the final day, a presentation was delivered on the draft strategic plan, which included a statement of principles, a national First Nations education position, and an implementation plan.
The MFNERC Inc. display booth was also present at the trade show. Staff handed out brochures, MFNERC resource materials and a handbook which contained First Nations education legal and international papers.
To find out more information on the Assembly of First Nations education portfolio, click on this link: http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/education
