Kinomaadswin Education Body board members selected

November 12, 2013

Darlene Monette (selected to Kinomaadswin Education Body) of Thessalon with Linda Peterson of Michipicoten (member of Regional Education Council #2). Missing is Julia Pegahmagabow, also elected to KEB.

By Tammy Desmoulin

The Regional Education Council (REC) # 4 selected two members to sit on the Kinomaadswin Education Body (KEB) on Oct. 10 – 11 at Nbisiing Secondary School in Nipissing First Nation.

Sharon Goulais, Education Administrator for Dokis First Nation and Lloyd Myke, Councillor for Magnetawan First Nation were chosen by the participants and are now members of the KEB.

REC #4 represents the communities of Nipissing First Nation, Wahnapitae First Nation, Dokis First Nation, Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Wasauksing First Nation.

Chief Couchie expressed excitement about the AES but still had questions regarding the Kinomaadswin Education Body.

“As a group I would like you to examine what the KEB does. The coordinators will be key. Find out what the priorities are. You will represent that at the REC,” said Chief Couchie.

Regional Education Council #4: Lloyd Myke, Magnetawan First Nation and Sharon Goulais, Dokis First Nation.

Brenda Restoule, Employment Manager for Nipissing commented in respect to post-secondary funding.

“I think we need to try as much as possible to keep them responsible for that treaty,” said Restoule.

Each of the five RECs will select two regional representatives from their REC to the Kinoomaadswin Education Body Board of Directors. Each REC will use the approved selection process to determine their KEB Board representatives.

In accordance with a Grand Council Resolution, the KEB was incorporated in January 2011 as a not-for profit corporation owned and controlled by Anishinabek First Nations. The first directors have been following the mandate from the Chiefs in Assembly to initiate the educational activities to support the First Nation exercise of jurisdiction over education on-reserve and the delivery of education programs and services by the First Nations. This year the focus has been on supporting the First Nations in the process of selecting regional representatives to the KEB Board.

Supported by resolution #2013/02, the interim KEB Board of Directors will oversee the approved selection process and report the names to the Anishinabek Chiefs in Assembly at the Special Fall Assembly on Education. Additionally, the KEB Board will oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan to Establish the Anishinabek Education System which was approved through resolution #2013/01.

For more information contact Cindy Fisher at cfisher@picriver.com .