Historical Master Education Framework Agreement signed by Anishinabek and Ontario

November 19, 2015
Kaitlyn Fleming from St. Mary's Catholic School in Sault Ste. Marie holds the Master Education Framework Agreement for Ontario Education Minister Liz Sandals to sign -- along with 26 Anishinabek First Nation Chiefs.
Kaitlyn Fleming from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sault Ste. Marie holds the Master Education Framework Agreement for Ontario Education Minister Liz Sandals to sign — along with 26 Anishinabek First Nation Chiefs.

SAULT STE. MARIE (Nov. 19, 2015) – The Anishinabek First Nations and Ontario have signed an historical Master Education Framework Agreement on November 19.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals met today with youth, Directors of the Kinomaadswin Education Body and Anishinabek Nation Chiefs in Sault Ste. Marie to sign the agreement.

The signing of the Master Education Framework Agreement is an historic event, evidencing the commitment of the Province of Ontario and the Anishinabek First Nations to negotiate the terms of a new arrangement to support First Nation students’ education in Anishinabek First Nation schools and provincial schools. The proposed Master Education Agreement will open doors to new opportunities for partnerships in education at the local and provincial level.

“The signing of the Master Education Framework Agreement with the Province enhances our respectful relationship with each other,” say Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. “This Framework Agreement complements the education arrangements that the Anishinabek Nation negotiated with the federal government. The Anishinabek First Nations are rapidly moving towards establishing our own education system that will strengthen educational opportunities and achievement of our students and in the end, our communities. These agreements support the establishment of the Anishinabek Education System.”

The Master Education Framework Agreement is intended to establish practical arrangements for ongoing collaboration on strategies to promote Anishinaabe student success and well-being; support transitions between First Nations’ schools and Ontario schools; and assist the Anishinabek Education System to provide high quality, Anishinaabe educational programs and services in First Nations’ schools.