Education

From the Annual Report 2001/2002

In January 2002, Lillian Saultier assumed the role of A/Education Liaison Officer. Before that time Allan Morrison held the position. The main thrust of this position is to assist at the local level and to liaise with the regional organizations such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Goyce Kakegamic is the NAN deputy holding the Education portfolio. Under Goyce's leadership, the District Education Committee is developing a strategic plan that will address such issues as teacher retention, student performance, infrastructure and reviewing services at all levels. The various education personal include the WFNC Local Education Authority, principals, teachers, students, parents were very much involved with this process particularly through their input at the regional NAN Education Conference and throughout the drafting process of the strategic plan. The Windigo First Nations Council education portfolio is challenging at all levels.

There is a great deal of pressure upon the Chiefs and Council, the LEA and the parents to continually identify, improve and deliver education services. The student is the centre of the Windigo First Nation Council Education system. The partners who make up the system - the parents, Local Education Authorities, the Chief and Council, the Education Directors, and members of the community - continually strive to meet the educational needs and aspirations of every student.

The challenge faced by the Windigo First Nations Council's education personnel at all levels is best demonstrated by the stark contrasts of the learning opportunities for the students in the Sioux Lookout District/Rainy River Riding. In one urban non- First Nation School, a proud announcement was made regarding the availability of a computer terminal for virtually all students within the school. However, one hour away at one of the Windigo First Nations Council, the teaching personnel have to transport a generator to the school and feed wood to the stove for heat. The student's washrooms are outdoors.in all seasons. The challenge is to copy the day's lesson onto sheets from a textbook because there are not enough textbooks.

The students in that community are familiar with the daily reality of school closure due to generator breakdown and teacher turnover. The challenge is to nurture student creativity, self-confidence, and initiative while developing a sense of social responsibility to prepare them for the next step. These students are tomorrow's leaders, doctors, lawyers, and teachers.

Education Liaison Officer roles:

1. Assisting communities to obtain funding for education;
2. Providing liaison services on all education issues between the various education agencies and the Windigo First Nation Communities;
3. Promoting specifically identified issues by Chief and Council that can have a positive impact upon communication and
4. Developing education policy and curriculum.

Assisting communities to obtain funding

Ø Assist in negotiating funding for Special Needs Students;
Ø Negotiated additional funding for the Koocheching First Nation;
Ø Applied for and received CAP Youth Worker funding (no longer available, a new program will be in place in mid July);
Ø Secured the services of local education personnel.

Provide liaison services on all education issues between the various education agencies and the communities.
Ø Made community visits a priority;
Ø Emphasized the importance of community consultation;
Ø Facilitated hiring of new teachers;
Ø Addressed special concerns brought to my attention by Chief and Council, or the Education Co-ordinators;
Ø Established and maintained close working relations with the Windigo Education Authority.

Promote specifically identified issues that can have a positive impact upon community education .
Ø Ensure proper communication between NAN/WFNC and communities;
Ø Served as a member of the NAN Education Committee
Ø Liaise between the Chief and Council, parents and teacher.

Develop education policy and curriculum.
Ø Assist in the development of culturally relevant curriculum.
Ø Assist in the Special needs curriculum development.

From the Annual Report 2002/2003

The Education Liaison Officer position was vacant from April to August 2002. At the end of August, Rebecca Maki was hired to fill the position. Unfortunately, the service and activity were limited to the end of December due to a health matter.

Maintaining the liaison and advocacy function continues to be one of the major roles of the Education Liaison Officer. Many important educational issues, initiatives and directives are being raised and addressed at various levels. Attendance and active participation at relevant meetings and working committees are necessary to ensure that our needs and priorities, as well as the challenges that are unique to our remote First Nations communities, are reflected in the initiatives related to education. Grassroots participation on initiatives and directives that impact our First Nations are paramount if we are to see positive results.

Committee work and active participation include:

Native Teacher Education Program Review
- Work is underway, under Oshki Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute, to examine the present delivery, content, and standards of the Native Teacher Education Programs
- The development and delivery of a NAN wide teacher training program is being explored
- Greater involvement of First Nations is necessary to ensure that the graduates are adequately trained to meet the unique educational needs of First Nation students
- A united approach will strengthen the program and our position in negotiations with potential institutional partners

All Ontario Caucus On Languages - March 3-4, 2003
- Meeting called to come up with an effective strategy to address the critical state of our languages in this region
- Key recommendations endorsed by the Chiefs of Ontario: First Nation Language Action Group, First Nation language foundation, protective legislation for Ont. First Nation languages, adequate resources to be directed to First Nations and on-going communication throughout Ontario region
- Local initiatives encouraged

Kwayaciiwin (District Education Planning Committee)
- Established by the District Chiefs to address student academic readiness
- Committee work include providing guidance and direction where necessary for all initiatives
- On-going communication maintained

Oshki Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute
- Education and training institute established by the NAN Chiefs
- Governing Council member
- Developmental work and negotiating for increased funding from INAC is on-going
- Key activities include accessing funding for special projects
- On-going communication with First Nation communities encouraged

NAN Education Committee
- Participated in a joint meeting of the NAN Education Committee and NAN Education Jurisdiction Committee
- Focus was on models of education (local, regional, NAN wide) and standards of education (academic, traditional knowledge)

Community support work include:

Koocheching First Nation
- Assist in teacher hiring and contract preparation
- Facilitate professional development for teacher/principal
- Order and ship classroom resources
- Duplicate curriculum materials for classroom use
- Request additional special education funding
- Liaise with NAN, Chiefs of Ontario and INAC on funding issues
- Liaise with INAC on various administration matters
- Assist community member to enroll in the up-coming teacher education program
- Commence preparatory work for the school policy and procedure manual
- Explore models for program delivery in a multi-graded classroom
- Explore appropriate testing materials
- Explore ways to access new and used library materials
- Assist in other areas as requested by the Band Council

Other WFNC Communities
- Work involves responding to various individual inquiries related to education
Such as educational assistance at all levels including special education, letters of support, program availability and follow-up work on individual requests

The terms of reference is under review for the Education Liaison Officer position to minimize duplication of services provided by other educational personnel in the Windigo communities.