Aboriginal students, teachers and local First Nations communities celebrated a new Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA) today that will help improve and support Aboriginal student learning, well-being and success.

The ceremony included speeches, presentations, singing and dancing and took place at the Qualicum school district’s board office in Parksville.

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 achievement and success.

This agreement marks the Province’s 100th AEEA with school districts throughout B.C., since 1999. This is the third First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Enhancement Agreement between First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, the Qualicum school district (SD 69) and the Ministry of Education.

The goals of the five-year agreement focus on Aboriginal language, attendance, academic success, grade-to grade transitions and Aboriginal teachings, culture and history.

The partners created guiding principles to implement the agreement, such as honouring and acknowledging the traditional teachings of elders and ancestors. A learning environment where all Aboriginal students can feel confident and proud about their ancestry is a key focus.

The agreement today builds on the recently released ‘Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom: Moving Forward’. The resource booklet helps teachers bring Aboriginal culture, history and perspectives into their classrooms. The booklet also supports the revised curriculum being introduced into B.C. schools over the next three years, which provides a flexible and innovative plan to help B.C. students gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“This agreement will help further support the well-being and academic success of Aboriginal students and strengthen First Nations communities. This is an example of how government, school districts and Aboriginal communities are working toward reconciliation.”

Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum –

“I’d like to congratulate all the partners involved for coming together to create a third agreement that will bring Aboriginal culture and history into the curriculum for all students, and help us to improve our education system.”

Donna Kennedy, Qualicum school district 69, First Nations advisory chairperson –

“Congratulations to everyone for all the hard work put into the agreement. I believe it will enhance the support for our students, and goes a long way to highlight our First Nation traditions and language.”

Eve Flynn, Qualicum school district 69, board chair –

“The board of SD 69 is proud of our work with our aboriginal communities. Our process for creating our third First Nations, Métis and Inuit Enhancement Agreement was inclusive of teachers, students, parents, community leaders and elders. We are very excited to include in the agreement the teaching of Hul’qumi’num language to our students.”

Quick Facts:

• The six-year completion rate for Aboriginal students in SD 69 has improved from 63% in 2009-10 to 69% in 2013-14. The provincial six-year completion rate for Aboriginal students is now at a record high of 62%.
• SD 69 has an Aboriginal population of 436 Aboriginal students of the 4097 total number of students in the district, according to 2014-15 statistics.
• SD 69 recognizes and acknowledges the traditional territory of the Qualicum and Nanoose First Nations.
• Total K-12 Aboriginal enrolment in B.C. public schools is 61,811 or 11.2% this school year.

Learn More:

Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements: https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/abed/agreements/

First Nations Education Steering Committee: http://www.fnesc.ca/

Aboriginal education, Ministry of Education: https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/abed/

Qualicum school district (SD 69): http://www.sd69.bc.ca/