Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Directors set new strategic course

July 12, 2018

Lauri Hoeg, member of Chippewas of Georgina Island and member of the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Board of Directors, participates at the KEB retreat on May 25, 2018, in North Bay, ON.

By Andrea Crawford

NORTH BAY—The Kinoomaadziwin Education Body’s (KEB) Board of Directors met on May 24 and 25 in North Bay for its annual retreat.

Elder John Sawyer attended the gathering and provided traditional services and guidance to participants over the two days. In his opening remarks, Sawyer spoke about the many educators and champions who have given their time and efforts to the establishment of the Anishinabek Education System (AES). He connected their successes in the past to the organization’s successes in the future and asked the board members to always be mindful of the history that belongs to the system.

“Our way of learning is not new,” said Sawyer. “We have been educators since our people were first put here, and now we are trying to put back into place many things that were taken away.”

As part of the retreat, the 12-member Board of Directors reviewed its terms of reference, director roles and responsibilities, and the organization’s corporate by-law.

Legal counsel Tracey O’Donnell brought attention to the importance of board members acknowledging their responsibility as directors for the whole of the system, which includes 23 Participating First Nations (PFNs).

Among their roles as directors, the board members have an important obligation to ensure the adherence of the KEB’s corporate by-law, the administration of funding allocations, and the development and implementation of the organization’s policies and strategic direction.

To set the direction of the KEB for the next year, the directors developed a new vision and mission statement, as well as new strategic objectives that will guide a comprehensive strategic plan.

Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Board of Directors participate in the KEB retreat on May 25, 2018, in North Bay, ON.

The new vision of the KEB is Anishinaabe Aadzwin. A holistic learning path using Anishinaabe ways of knowing, celebrating a bright future for our people. Anishinaabe Bimaadzwin.

The vision was identified through various group reflections and discussions, which led participants to think critically about what the KEB will strive to accomplish over the coming years. These identified objectives form the foundation of a strategic plan, which will be shared with the PFNs in July 2018.

In addition to hosting the board of directors’ retreat, the KEB held its Annual General Membership meeting on June 5, at the Valhalla Inn, in Thunder Bay. The membership heard the financial statements of the organization, as well as updates on staffing, communications, work plans and the progress of the head office location in Nipissing First Nation.

A grand opening event will be scheduled in October 2018, to mark the launch of the Anishinabek Education System and to celebrate the opening of the KEB’s new head office.

A full report on the KEB’s Annual General Membership meeting will be provided to all PFNs in July 2018.