Transforming First Nation Education

First Nations have always upheld vibrant lifelong-learning education systems rooted in language, culture and community.

 

Colonial policies, including the residential school system, disrupted them ─ causing ongoing harm.

We’re working to re-assert control of our local First Nation education systems. 

 

So future generations can thrive.

About the First Nations with Schools Collective

We are a collective of eight First Nations in Ontario. Each nation has its own schooling system, including an on-reserve school. As a group, we are leading transformative work to restore traditional knowledge, revitalize languages and build local First Nation education systems grounded in Indigenous worldviews.

 

The federal government is responsible for education funding for students who live on reserve. But the funding does not meet the needs of communities working to overcome the enduring effects of colonial education policy.

 

Our vision calls for equitable, needs-based funding that supports the inherent and treaty rights of First Nations people, and sustains leadership in Indigenous education.  For more info, contact Governance Director Leslee White-Eye (lwhite-eye@fnwsceducation.com) or click the button below.

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Anishinaabemowin language learning board with clothing vocabulary displayed at Enji Maajtaawaad Early Years Centre classroom.

Participating FNWSC First Nations

Students participating in a land-based learning activity in winter wetlands, sitting together among tall reeds.

Each nation in the FNWSC maintains its own autonomy and control over its own local education system decisions. As a collective that includes Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee First Nations, we engage in discussions and negotiations with Canada’s federal government for the purpose of creating policy change. Participating members of the FNWSC are: 

 

Our Work

The FNWSC is engaged with education policy work, Indigenous education advocacy, First Nation education funding reform and Indigenous curriculum development. Please see below for more details on our work. 

A child ice fishing on a frozen lake as part of a traditional outdoor learning activity.

Education Policy

The FNWSC participates in a Joint Education Technical Table (JETT) with the Government of Canada. The purpose is to come to an agreement on new First Nation education policy grounded in treaty and inherent rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

Wiikwemkoong students and teacher wearing orange shirts in recognition of Every Child Matters.

Advocacy

We are Indigenous education advocates. Through letter-writing, political advocacy, media interviews, Op-Eds and partnerships with academic institutes and human-rights groups, we challenge outdated federal policy and demand a shift toward fully resourced, self-determined  education systems. 

Students travel by boat through marshland for a land-based education program in Bkejwanong Territory.

Funding Reform

We are developing a new First Nation education funding model to meet unique needs and priorities of each community. Our “funding parity plus” model includes resources to build local Indigenous curriculum, culture-based programming and adequate infrastructure for schooling, including on-reserve schools.

Students running together during a community track and field day.

Knowledge Centre

We participate in research projects with partner organizations includinge Western University, OPHEA and First Nations Education Administrators, and develop culturally relevant curriculum support to advance local First Nation education self-determination. For more info, contact Leslee White-Eye at lwhite-eye@fnwsceducation.com.

FNWSC thanks the Government of Canada for funding received through the Innovation in Education, Regional Education Agreements and Education Partnerships Program-Structural Readiness Grants for First Nations and First Nation affiliate organizations to build structural capacity in education.

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