Archives for February 2018

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) thanked outgoing Minister of Education Bronwyn Eyre and congratulated and welcomed incoming Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Gordon Wyant, following the provincial cabinet shuffle that was recently announced.

“We thank Minister Eyre for her service,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA President. “We wish her all the best in her new role as Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for SaskWater and SaskEnergy.”

Davidson also congratulated and welcomed incoming Minister Wyant, who is also Deputy Premier. Davidson noted Wyant’s past service to the education sector in Saskatchewan as a locally elected school board trustee.

“We look forward to working with Minister Wyant to advance the important efforts happening in our sector to support our province’s students,” said Davidson. “The SSBA and its member boards believe all students should have the resources they need to succeed and achieve, regardless of where they live in the province or their personal circumstances. Education is an investment in our future.”

School boards have been calling for restored and renewed investment in education and want the voices of the families and communities they represent to be heard and considered by the government.

The new minister and Premier Scott Moe have been invited to meet with partners from across the education sector in the near future. Davidson said he hopes they will take the opportunity to engage and establish relationships.

SASKATOON – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC), the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Reconciliation through Treaty education.

The MOU recognizes that Reconciliation through Treaty education can be the tool to overcome obstacles that affect Treaty relations. It also endorses partnerships to address the advancement of Treaty awareness and education, as vehicles toward the elimination of systemic discrimination and embody the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Through the MOU, the partners have committed to working to address systemic discrimination in the spirit and intent of Treaty partnerships and as partners in Reconciliation.

“This MOU is the first step towards Reconciliation through education. It provides a way forward for the institutions involved to create Treaty awareness in the classroom,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “Our children will grow up understanding their Inherent and Treaty rights. They will learn that Treaties are a sacred covenant and are international law. Together, we can end discrimination in our education systems.”

“Education was the vehicle used to oppress First Nations people,” said Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson. “Through education about the Spirit, the Intent and the Treaty relationship, Reconciliation can be one day achieved. Education will be the vehicle to take us there.”

“We have an opportunity to provide education directed toward improving knowledge and understanding of the historical Treaties. To fully understand the Treaties, one must understand the Spirit and Intent of the Sacred Treaties,” said SICC President Wanda Wilson. “Language and culture must be understood as it is the bedrock, the foundation of the First Nation’s world view and it is vital that this forms an integral component of any Treaty education program and any First Nation education program regardless of their linguistic group. This must come from the local language keepers and the knowledge keepers who wait to be asked.”

“Our ongoing partnerships are very important in addressing shared responsibilities and interests in Saskatchewan’s education systems,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “Joining together to sign this MOU is about our commitment to work together for the benefit of all Saskatchewan students.”

SSBA’s member boards have passed a number of resolutions related to Treaty education. One resolution adopted in 2017 calls for a mandatory Indigenous studies class at the secondary level, in addition to Indigenous teachings currently embedded in the curriculum. Another resolution passed in 2017 calls on all schools and board of education offices in Saskatchewan to display the Treaty symbol.

The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.