Kinomaadswin Education Body Board recognized

December 4, 2013
Cindy Fisher – Photo by Monica Lister
Cindy Fisher – Photo by Monica Lister

By Kelly Crawford

NIPISSING FIRST NATION- Anishinabek Chiefs confirmed the new, regionally selected, representative Board of Directors of the Kinomaadswin Education Body (KEB) at the Special Assembly on Education, held Nov. 13-14, 2013, at Nipissing First Nation.

“I can’t believe how happy I am…yes we are going to do this. Once we ground our children in who they are it is going to be amazing.  One generation always goes further than the one before,” commented Cindy Fisher, Pic River First Nation.

“We are doing good things in our communities. We just do not have the resources, human or financial, to do the work that we want to do,” explained Fran Couchie, Director of Education at Nipissing First Nation and Interim KEB board member. “I am excited to be a part of this and pass the torch on.” Couchie and several other long-serving Education Working Group members stepped up to act as the Interim KEB Board of Directors to facilitate  implementation of the Anishinabek Education System, beginning with the selection process for a representative board of directors as decided by the First Nations in each Regional Education Council (REC). The Directors of the KEB Board are:

Regional Education Council (REC) # 1 – Judy Wawia, (Red Rock Indian Band) and Claire O’Nabigon (Long Lake #58)

REC # 2 – Darlene Monet (Thessalon) and Julia Pegahmagabow (Atikamesheng Anishnawbek)

REC # 3 – To be confirmed

REC # 4 – Sharon Goulais (Dokis) and Lloyd Myke (Henvey Inlet)

REC # 5 – Crystal Cummings (Curve Lake) and Candy Thomas (Munsee Delaware Nation)

The KEB Board of Directors will continue its implementation of the Anishinabek Education System  strategic plan, which includes communications, continuing talks with Ontario, and seeking funding to hire a coordinator, among other activities.

The Anishinabek Chiefs in Assembly approved the incorporation of the Kinomaadswin Education Body (KEB) as a not-for-profit corporation owned and controlled by the Anishinabek First Nations by Grand Council Resolution 2010/03.The KEB was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in January 2011 and the interim KEB Board of Directors implemented Grand Council Resolution 2013/02 directing it  to implement the approved regional selection processes to determine the KEB Board of Directors. Through  Grand Council Resolution 2013/13, the  KEB Board of Directors has been confirmed by the Anishinabek Chiefs in Assembly. For more information contact roj@anishinabek.ca