Master Education Framework Agreement to be signed in November

October 26, 2015
Representative Directors of the Board of the Kinomaadsowin Education Body are, left to right: Charles Shawanda, Whitefish River, Regional Education Council (REC) #3; Claire Onabigon, Long Lake #58 and Valerie Auger, Pays Plat, REC #1; Della Charles, Mississaugas of Scugog, REC #5; Vice-Chair Debbie Mayer, Mississauga #8, REC #2; and Muriel Sawyer, Nipissing, REC #4. Not available for the photo were Chair Lloyd Myke, Magnetawan, REC # 4; Secretary Julia Pegahmagabow, Atikmeksheng Anishinawbek, REC #2, Robert Beaudin, M’Chigeeng, REC #3; and Candee Thomas, Munsee Delaware, REC #5.
Representative Directors of the Board of the Kinomaadsowin Education Body are, left to right: Charles Shawanda, Whitefish River, Regional Education Council (REC) #3; Claire Onabigon, Long Lake #58 and Valerie Auger, Pays Plat, REC #1; Della Charles, Mississaugas of Scugog, REC #5; Vice-Chair Debbie Mayer, Mississauga #8, REC #2; and Muriel Sawyer, Nipissing, REC #4. Not available for the photo were Chair Lloyd Myke, Magnetawan, REC # 4; Secretary Julia Pegahmagabow, Atikmeksheng Anishinawbek, REC #2, Robert Beaudin, M’Chigeeng, REC #3; and Candee Thomas, Munsee Delaware, REC #5.

By Marci Becking

SAULT STE MARIE — Newly-elected Kinomaadswin Education Body board members discussed the education agreement with Ontario at their first face-to-face meeting since they were elected to the board last month.

Tracey O’Donnell, education negotiator for the Anishinabek Nation, went through the 28-page Master Education Framework Agreement (MEFA) with the board in preparation for the signing of the agreement on November 19 in Sault Ste. Marie.

“This is an historic signing,” says O’Donnell. “The Anishinabek Nation is the first to negotiate an agreement with Ontario with the province. We’re ahead of the pack. No one else is doing this. This opens the door to opportunities for partnership.”

By signing this Anishinabek Nation – Ontario deal, it will enhance the other agreement – the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement — that the Anishinabek Nation has negotiated with Canada.

The Kinomaadswin Body is made up of five Regional Education Councils that each has two representatives.

Claire Onabigon of Long Lake # 58 and Valerie Auger of Pays Plat First Nation were selected to represent REC #1. This REC consists of Long Lake #58, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Red Rock, Fort William, Pays Plat, Ojibways of Pic River and Pic Mobert First Nations.

In REC #2, Julia Pegahmagabow of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek and Debbie Mayer of Mississauga #8 were selected. Communities represented in this REC are Michipicoten, Ojibways of Garden River, Thessalon, Mississauga #8, Serpent River, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Atikameksheng Anishinawbek.

In REC #3, Robert Beaudin of M’Chigeeng First Nation and Charles Shawanda of Whitefish River First Nation were selected. REC#3 consists of Whitefish River, Sheshegwaning , Zhiibaahaasing, M’Chigeeng, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Sheguiandah and Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve.

In REC #4, Lloyd Myke, Councillor for Magnetawan First Nation was elected for his second term and Nipissing First Nation Deputy Chief Muriel Sawyer was elected for a first term. REC#4 represents the communities of Nipissing, Wahnapitae, Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan and Wasauksing First Nation – all of which have put forward Band Council Resolutions in support of the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement.

Della Charles of Mississaugas of Scugog and Candy Thomas of Munsee Delaware Nation were selected in REC#5. This REC consists of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Curve Lake, Alderville, Chippewas of Rama, Mississaugas of Scugog, Chippewas of Georgina Island, Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point, Chippewas of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware and Aamjiwnaang.