Anishinabek Nation takes a giant leap forward to having own education system

May 29, 2015
As of June 3, 2015, there are 17 communities who have Band Council Resolutions supporting the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement. -- Photo by Ray St. Louis
As of June 3, 2015, there are 17 communities who have Band Council Resolutions supporting the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement. — Photo by Ray St. Louis

First Nations across the Anishinabek Nation territory have made the commitment to support the Anishinabek Nation’s Education Agreement.

As of June 3, a total of 17 Band Council Resolutions have been passed to support the initialling of the agreement and to indicate the First Nation’s intention to run a ratification vote.

The Union of Ontario Indians Restoration of Jurisdiction  Director Mike Restoule says that the federal negotiators have indicated that a minimum of 12 First Nations are required to submit Band Council Resolutions to make the agreement viable.

“This is a huge show of support by the First Nations,” says Restoule.

The Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement includes the Education Agreement, Education Fiscal Transfer Agreement, and the Education Implementation Plan. This Agreement is the culmination of 18 years of negotiating with Canada for its recognition of the Anishinabek First Nations’ existing and inherent right of self-government over education. While the Anishinabek retain inherent jurisdiction over life-long learning, Canada is prepared to recognize Anishinabek jurisdiction over primary, elementary and secondary education, at this time.

The Restoration of Jurisdiction department will be continuing to provide information sessions that provide the details of the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement to First Nation Chiefs and Councils. BCRs will be accepted up until and including the date of the initialling of the Education Agreement.  That date will be scheduled in October 2015.

The First Nations that have submitted BCRs are: Henvey Inlet First Nation, Michipicoten, Magnetawan, Sheshegwaning, Wahnapitae, Long Lake #58, Dokis, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Moose Deer Point Mississauga #8, Alderville, Wasauksing, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Whitefish River, Munsee Delaware and Nipissing.

View the Youtube video of the Anishinabek Nation’s vision of the Anishinabek Educational System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGEMMhj2Wfs