Kinoomaadziwin Education Body hosts Chiefs Visioning Session and 23 Participating First Nations Gathering in new hybrid format

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – In late November, the Participating First Nations of the Anishinabek Education System (AES) gathered at the Best Western Hotel & Conference Centre in North Bay, Ont., for a Chiefs Visioning Session and the annual 23 Participating First Nations Gathering. This year’s hybrid format allowed more than 60 guests to participate seamlessly in-person at the venue and online via Zoom.

On Nov. 22, leadership from 13 Participating First Nations came together in a Chiefs Visioning Session that focused on four main elements: providing feedback on the draft five-year strategic plan for the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body (KEB); discussing the functionality of existing structures of the AES; reviewing potential changes to the system structures for negotiation with Canada; and identifying leadership priorities, gaps in governance capacities, and opportunities for improvements in education supports.

Christine Dokis, KEB Director of Education, facilitated discussions throughout the day.

“The leadership have a shared vision for Anishinabek students,” said Dokis. “They speak very passionately about how the AES should support our youth. Part of that means establishing a collective definition of student success and well-being, improving communications between parents and teachers/schools, and viewing education as a sacred bundle that guides our youth through the stages of development.”

Discussions at the Chiefs Visioning Session were followed by the annual 23 Participating First Nations Gathering, on Nov. 23.

Representatives from 16 Participating First Nations, including Chiefs, the KEB Board of Directors, staff, and special guests, participated in the semi-annual membership meeting, which serves as a platform for addressing priority governance issues and providing direction to the KEB on education-related matters.

The election and appointment of two governance representatives were confirmed at the meeting. In Regional Education Council #1, Long Lake #58 Chief Judy Desmoulin was appointed as the fourth representative to the KEB Chiefs Committee.  The Chiefs Committee provides political advocacy for the AES and offers leadership guidance and support to the KEB on the implementation and operations of the AES.

In Regional Education Council #4, Chippewas of Rama First Nation Education Director Lise Kwekkeboom was elected as a regional representative to the KEB Board of Directors.  Kwekkeboom will join 13 other elected Directors who represent the AES as the governing body of the KEB.  The Directors are responsible for overseeing the administration of the KEB, and they report to the Participating First Nations at annual membership meetings and Regional Education Council meetings.

The 23 Participating First Nations Gathering also supported the delivery of updates related to various projects such as the development of an AES self-governance funding formula, and the AES’ application for eligibility to the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan.

The Participating First Nations will gather next at the annual Niigaan Gdizhaami Forum scheduled in April 2022.  The KEB wishes to thank everyone who participated in the two-day discussions and Ingaged Creative Productions for providing the technical support to make the hybrid format a possibility. The guidance and feedback of the Participating First Nations are invaluable to ensuring the ongoing implementation of the AES and the continued operation of the KEB in a good way.