Education Initiatives

In partnership, the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation supports the Ministry of Education, Advanced Education, the First Nations Education Steering Committee and other agencies that develop First Nations and Aboriginal education in British Columbia.

The Province is working to build stronger support for the revitalisation of traditional teachings and the honouring of elders as the keepers of Aboriginal knowledge, culture and languages. We are working together to better integrate Aboriginal languages, histories, cultures and world views into public school curriculum and improve the learning environment for First Nations and Métis students.

Through the Transformative Change Accord the province has committed to closing the socioeconomic gaps, including education, over a ten-year period.

Aboriginal Education: What's New

• Released the new updated version of the "Shared Learnings: Integrating BC Aboriginal Content K-10 on November 8, 2006. This resource provides teachers with practical tools to help them integrate Aboriginal content into all subject areas from kindergarten through Grade 10. The aim is to provide a guide for educators to assist in creating a greater sensitivity to and respect for the richness and diversity of the Aboriginal peoples of British Columbia.
• Signed the 29th Enhancement Agreement in the province with local Aboriginal leaders and the Okanagan Similkameen school district on September 12, 2006. The agreements will help improve Aboriginal student achievement.
• Signed the First Nations Education Jurisdiction Agreement between the Province and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) on July 5th 2006. The agreement recognizes First Nations control over the K-12 education of their community members. This signing of the FENSC agreement is a significant step towards addressing the Transformative Change Accord objective to close the gap in education between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.