Voix des communautés

“The principle of SELF DETERMINATION -- our right to determine our own futures without interference -- must exist for First Nation students, teachers and communities in our school systems in Canada.”

Dr. Evan Adams
Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor
UBC Department of Family Practice

“The management and delivery of education to First Nations should be the responsibility of local authorities. These authorities should be fully supported financially and professionally. “

Ms. Colleen Austin
Teacher
Kitsumkalum

“Every First Nations child is entitled to a ‘quality education’. With this end in mind, what do we need to do to accomplish this?”

Ms. Gayle Bedard
District Principal
Aboriginal Education, Surrey

“I am hoping that this isn’t like the past where the government sends out these people to get us excited and feel like we’re making our voice heard and nothing happens. When will things change?”

Mr. Cyril Bennett-Nabis
Kitselas First Nation

“We must remember that we are here to teach “kids”. We are not here to teach reading, writing etc. Those are just the areas we work in. Our ultimate goal is to teach “kids”.

Mr. Ben Berland
Educator
Carrier Sekani

“As a First Nations student I dealt with a lot of racism and lowered expectations. I was pulled out of my courses because it was assumed that because I was First Nation I could not learn the same as everyone else (who was not First Nation). I wanted to say that in public school systems it needs to be recognized that First Nation students such as myself can learn the same things as other students. I just learn a different way.”

Ms. Amber George
Student, Terrace Roundtable

“This cannot happen without a solid curriculum created to fill the void created by the Indian Residential School Act and the Potlatch law”.

Mr. Larry Grant
Elder
Musqueam Band

“Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand. That’s how I was taught.

This is First Nations Learning: My land, my ocean, my environment.”

Mr. Cam Hill
Teacher, Hartley Bay

“First Nation learners need to have access to their language, culture and history within their territories and electronically here ever they may be in the world. Often our communities are isolated so our electronic learning infrastructures must be reliable.

Like all peoples, appropriate attention to PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.”

Ms. Vonnie Hutchingson (left; pictured with Polly Waterfall)
Education Director
Gitxaala Nation

“We need to have First Nation legislation with all levels of government that addresses a First Nation School Act.”

Snitelwet Deborah Jacobs
Department Head, Education
Squamish Nation

“As acknowledged by Canada’s Auditor General, we have the structures and accountability mechanisms in place in BC to give our students the quality of education they deserve. It makes no sense to continue to deny our children and youth equitable funding to make this possible, including funding for language, culture and technology.”

Ms. Deborah Jeffrey
Acting Executive Director
First Nations Education Steering Committee

“High expectations for our students to succeed are criticzl to their realizing academic success. By setting a high bar from day one for my students and making them work hard all year they not only got good grades but transitioned with confidence and smoothly from their on reserve school to the local public school where they continued to do well.”

Mr. Victor Jim
Vice President
First Nations Schools Association and Teacher for 21 Years
Moricetown, BC

“The quality of First Nations education is improving, but not fast enough. I hope the panel comes away with an understanding that First Nations educators have a strong vision for a successful First Nation education system.”

Mr. Darrell Schann
Teacher
Stu”ate Lelum School

“Language and Culture is the key to the success of our people for it provides an identity to each individual which carries onto strengths from within.”

Mr. Martin Watts
Leader
Tseshaht Nation

“I have been an educator for many years. A few years ago a colleague and I interviewed a number of First Nations students, ages 15 – 18. We asked them one question; what would make your school experience better? The two dominant answers were need approachable and better teachers and approachable, better principals.”

Mr. Fred Wilson
Terrace Roundtable

“One key issue I would like addressed is the lack of funds First Nations schools receive for special needs children.”

Ms. Kanani Davis
Director of Education
Mamu Tshishkutamashtau Innu Education, Newfoundland

“There is a great opportunity for Canada to secure the future need for skilled workers using our most valuable resource – our children. The social and economic costs of a failure to invest equitably in education for First Nations children will be staggering,”

Chief George Ginnish
Chief
Eel Ground Nation

“Finances and resources are essential to develop the gifts of our children.”

Mr. John Hawkes
Principal
Eel Ground First Nation School
New Brunswick

“Two issues I would like to see addressed are more language immersion classes and an end to racism and low expectations for First Nations children transitioning to off-reserve schools.”

Ms. Katie Paul
Recent Grade 12 Graduate
L’nusipukmuokuom School, Indian Brook, Nova Scotia