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.

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is congratulating Scott Moe, who will become the province’s next premier after winning the governing party’s leadership race.

“In our ongoing efforts to support the students in Saskatchewan’s education system, we look forward to working with Mr. Moe as the new premier,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “We also want to recognize and thank the outgoing premier, Brad Wall, for his years of service to the people of the province and investments made by his government in our education system over the years, particularly in the area of constructing and renovating schools.”

Another important connection between the SSBA and the premier’s office is the annual Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence. Since 1999, premiers of Saskatchewan have given their support for the award, which recognizes educational innovations and improvements focused on student achievement that have been advanced or directed by boards of education.

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. Davidson said he believes the new premier will be receptive to making education an increased funding priority.

“Mr. Moe has said education ‘must be a top priority for the next premier’ and has committed to additional education funding,” Davidson said. “Boards are responsible for overseeing the operations of our province’s education system, while the provincial government is responsible for funding. We need to be engaged and working together in our respective roles so we can continue to see progress in the area of student achievement in Saskatchewan.”

The new premier is being invited to meet with locally elected boards of education and partners from across the education sector in the near future. Davidson said he hopes the new premier will take the opportunity to engage and establish relationships.

REGINA – Saskatchewan school boards believe the education system is at a critical point and funding sufficiency is of major concern for school divisions who are already planning for the 2018-19 school year.

Without restored funding and renewed investment, school boards will not have the resources needed to deal with rising student enrolment numbers, suitable classroom supports and keeping up with inflationary pressures.

“We are at the point where further cuts or funding freezes will significantly impact our classrooms and communities,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA). “There has been a trend of decreasing per-student funding in the operating budgets of school divisions. That is the wrong direction and we are falling behind our neighbouring provinces in terms of operating funding for education. We need to make sure education is a priority when planning for the future of our province and investment in students and classrooms plays a big part.”

School boards want the voices of the families and communities they represent to be heard and considered, Davidson said. Boards oversee the province’s education system, while the provincial government is responsible for ensuring the system is appropriately funded.

“Last year’s budget cut about $55 million of funding from school division operating budgets for the 2017-18 school year and boards have worked hard to minimize the negative effects on students and staff resulting from the difficult fiscal situation,” added Davidson. “But school boards are very concerned looking ahead to the 2018-19 year about what will result if funding levels are not restored.”

The SSBA’s advocacy efforts will continue in support of its members and the communities they serve, and Davidson called on families and communities to keep adding their voices by reaching out local to MLAs.

More information is available at https://saskschoolboards.ca/education-belongs-to-community/.