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AGREEMENT LAYS FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION COUNCIL FOR BATTLEFORDS-AREA FIRST NATIONS

NORTH BATTLEFORD, SASKATCHEWAN (August 19, 2005) - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and the leaders of six Battlefords-area First Nations today announced an agreement which lays the foundation for the establishment of a First Nations education council within Saskatchewan.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has committed $800,000 to the project for 2005-06. The Battlefords First Nation-area Community Development Corporation will also provide financial support toward the development of the education council.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working in collaboration with First Nations people, Inuit, Métis, provinces, territories, and other stakeholders to find new ways to better support Aboriginal life-long learning and improve Aboriginal educational attainments,” Minister Scott said. “This is part of our commitment flowing from the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable discussions and the recent Policy Retreat between members of the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Organizations.”

Minister Scott will be visiting the province of Saskatchewan next week to meet with a number of provincial Cabinet ministers and local chiefs.

“In order to prepare our children to take their place in the circle of life, we must educate their minds and nurture their spirits,” said Chief Victor Checkosis of Little Pine First Nation. “Education is a right that all children are entitled to and it is the responsibility of the entire community to teach them the skills they will need in order to succeed.”

With the support of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Northwest Nations Education Council will provide educational services for schools operated by Little Pine, Poundmaker, Red Pheasant, Sweetgrass, Moosomin and Mosquito-Grizzly Bear’s Head-Lean Man First Nations -- the majority of First Nation-operated schools in the Battlefords area.. Together, the schools have an enrolment of more than 1,000 First Nations students.

The Northwest Nations Education Council will establish an arms-length education authority with a board of directors, a professional public service and a financial accountability framework. Teachers will have the option of becoming members of a professional teachers association. The education council, made up of representatives from each of the participating First Nations, willwork with the local school committees to design and implement programs for the new education system. It will focus on improving student performance by strengthening the effectiveness of classroom instruction; improving cultural programs in order to strengthen the identities of First Nations people; and developing programs that more actively involve families and community members.

For further information contact:

James Parker
Senior Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Saskatchewan Region
(306) 780-7136

Chief Michael Kahpeaysewat
Moosomin First Nation
(306) 386-2206

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