The Conseil scolaire francophone (School District 93) marked the signing of their second Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement with a banquet that celebrated the tastes of First Nations and French Canadian cuisines featuring wild B.C. salmon and a maple syrup dessert.

An Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement is a commitment by school districts, local Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education, to work together to support Aboriginal student success. The agreement was a collaborative development process that included students, parents, the Indigenous community and elders.

The agreement sets out three goals for the next five years. The first focuses on building self-esteem and pride and honouring the contributions, culture and historic heritage of all Aboriginal peoples in Canada, including Métis, Inuit and B.C. First Nations. Goal two lays out a commitment to academic success. SD 93 wants all Aboriginal students to graduate with both English and French Dogwood Diplomas. The final goal looks to develop student leadership skills in their Francophone and Aboriginal communities.

Provincially, the six-year completion rate climbed to a record high of 62%. SD 93 is among the leaders in school districts with a six-year completion rate that increased from 71% in 2009-10 to 100% in 2013-14. In 2013-14, SD 93 had an Aboriginal population of 482 students of the 5068 total number of students in the district.

As the Francophone Education Authority, SD 93 recognizes and acknowledges all First Nations’ traditional territories on which its 37 schools are located. SD 93’s district office is located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“The Conseil scolaire francophone gives students the ability to learn in French and English, while honouring their Aboriginal heritage. As they sign their second Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement, the district has already achieved 100% six-year completion rate. They are proof that these agreements are meaningful and worthwhile.”

Roger Hébert, board chair -

“With respect and honour towards all Aboriginal Peoples, and with shared participation and wisdom, we will continue to work together in a mutually beneficial manner to develop appropriate and meaningful programs that will benefit of all our Aboriginal students. The CSF believes it's important that our schools create links with local Aboriginal communities and to ensure that those links foster the development and the understanding of aboriginal communities for the youth.”

Larry Grant, Musqueam elder -

“I am very pleased that the CSF has acknowledged the Musqueam, territory, language and culture in their efforts to build a strong relationship with the Aboriginal peoples of this land. The Aboriginal Education program is a stepping stone which includes a strong focus on Aboriginal students developing greater self-esteem and exploring their cultural values. This strength of knowledge will bring about the pre and post-secondary academic success that has always existed within the oral histories of all the Aboriginal peoples of occupied British Columbia. I am thankful to leaders of CSF for this valued effort in their vision of a more unified education program.”

Quick Facts:

• The Conseil scolaire francophone (SD 93) recognizes and acknowledges the traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation.
• Of the 5,068 total number of students in the district, the Aboriginal population of 482 students - 9.6%.
• SD 93 is unique that it serves students throughout the Province of British Columbia.
• Provincial funding for Aboriginal education in the B.C. public K-12 school system is $64.1 million for the 2014-15 school year, more than $1,160 per student.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963