Chapel Island First Nation ~ Shirley Mitchell ~ Director of Education
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Table of Contents Chairman’s Message . 3 Executive Director’s Message . 4 Board of Directors . 5 Organizational Chart . 6 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey Program Reports: Plans and Priorities . 7 Strategic Planning . 9 Elementary / Secondary Education . 10 Post Secondary Education . 11 Community Liaison / Statistics . 12 Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk . 13 Special Education Policy Development Project . 15 Mi’kmaw Community Education Reports: Acadia . 16 Annapolis Valley . 17 Bear River . 19 Chapel Island (Potlotek) . 20 Eskasoni . 24 Indian Brook . 29 Membertou . 30 Pictou Landing . 33 Wagmatcook . 35 Waycobah (We’koqma’q) . 38 Financial Statements: Statement of Operations . 40 Balance Sheet . 41 Schedule “A” . 42 Mi’kmaw Kina’ matnewey Staff . 50 Contact Information . 51 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 Chairman’s Message i’kmaw Kina’matnewey has signed another five year funding agreement, one that has some significant Mchanges. These changes will enhance programs that are delivered to the Mi’kmaw students. As a result of successful negotiations we will have two new schools in Indian Brook and We’koqma’q. Technology was historically the cause for the loss of our lan- guage and culture, ironically it will be the vehicle that will also bring it back to our communities. Through the video conferenc- ing and connectivity of the Mi’kmaw communities in Atlantic Canada we can now use this tool of technology to bring lan- guage and culture to where it has been lost. For many commu- nities this is the answer and it is available to most Mi’kmaw communities in the region. A Mi’kmaw Language Dictionary is in the works at MK. This Dictionary will be made available to the communities in November 2005. A CD of this Dictionary will follow. Once again technology will make this happen. Partnerships and working together we can make things happen. At MK we are committed to making progress and success in all aspects of learning. Chief Terrance J. Paul Chairman of the Board 3 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 Executive Director’s Message i’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) begins another five-year agreement. There are some changes that will benefit the MMK communities. MK is very excited that there will be the construction of two new schools for the communities of We’koqma’q and Indian Brook. Currently, there are reviews being conducted on the Band Operated Funding Formula (BOFF) and Post Secondary Education (PSE). These reviews are being done jointly by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). There has been a review of the Special Education Programs (SEP) and a Business Case that will be presented to Treasury Board for additional funding. After all of these reviews, we would like to see better programs for the students. At a provincial level, MK is in the process of negotiating a common tuition agree- ment with the Nova Scotia government. It is the hope of MK that this agreement be in place for September 2005. Some of the issues that have been discussed in the Common Tuition agreement are better services for the Mi’kmaq students in the Provincial Schools. It is a pleasure to present you with the MK Annual Report and on behalf of the MK Staff and Board of Directors we look forward to the next annual report. Ukjit Kuji’jinaq Elmi’knik, Eleanor Bernard 4 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 Board of Directors * Executive Committee Chief Deborah Robinson Acadia * Chief Brian Toney Chief Frank Meuse Chief Wilbert Marshall Annapolis Valley Bear River Chapel Island * Chief Blair Francis Chief Alexander MacDonald * Chief Terry Paul Eskasoni Indian Brook Membertou * Chief Anne Francis-Muise Chief Lester Peck *Chief Alexander (Sandy) Googoo Pictou Landing Wagmatcook We’koqma’q 5 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey Organizational Chart Board of Directors Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey Working Groups Executive Committee Ten Atlantic Policy Participating Communities Congress Executive Director Receptionist/ ExAdministrativeecutive Assistant Assistant Director of Director of RMO Manager Finance & Planning Program Services Administrative Assistant Finance Secretary Community Liaison / Statistician Webmaster Finance Clerk Student Services Consultant Administrative Assistant 6 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 MI’KMAW KINA’MATNEWEY PROGRAM REPORT Plans and Priorities (2004 – 2005) ~ Lauretta Welsh ~ Director of Finance & Planning he 2005 – 2006 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) operational plan focuses on the effective and efficient management of Teducation programs while creating new opportunities and striving for excellence within our First Nation education system. MK is committed to work with the participating communities towards the achievement of the following goals for 2005 – 2006: 1. To negotiate appropriate level of education resources to support the governance, administration and delivery of quality education pro- grams for the Participating Communities, and ensure equitable alloca- tion. The following planning objectives will contribute towards the achievement of this goal: • Implementation of new five year Funding Agreement signed on March 17, 2005. • Review MK funding methodology for the allocation of the education grant. • Establish real cost of education and negotiate appropriate level of funding for enhanced and new programs at the federal level on behalf of our First Nation Communities. • Complete negotiation with Nova Scotia for a common provincial tuition agreement for Mi’kmaw students attending provincial schools. • Seek additional educational partnerships to expand opportunities. 2. To represent and to further the collective education interests of member communities. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objectives: • Hold regular meetings with the MK Board of Directors and communities. • Submit annual Board Report to communities to review progress and seek input on issues. • Advocate with key groups to build strong education links. • Continue to hold regular Directors of Education Working Group meetings and meetings with school principals. • Develop an integrated communications plan. • To develop the technological infrastructure required to enhance the delivery of all educational programs. 3. To facilitate and support the implementation of community-specific education governance sys- tems. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objectives: 7 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 • Facilitate the development and distribution of Governance Models to member communities. • Facilitate and support the development of Governance Capacity. • Facilitate and encourage the development of Community Education Act in each community as required pursuant to the Mi’kmaq education agreement. • Facilitate the annual education strategic/operational planning process for member communities 4. Assist in the development of community appropriate education standards, policies, evaluation, and monitoring systems. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objectives: • Work with member communities to develop education standards that will seek equity among communities, allow for common outcome statements, and ensure transferability between education systems. • Develop and distribute sample policies to facilitate education processes on reserves. • Create a school evaluation model for member communities. • Continue the implementation of the student data gathering and monitoring system (DADAVAN). 5. To assist communities in acquiring and maintaining appropriate on-reserve education facilities. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objective: • Finalize cash flow negations with INAC for the Construction of two new schools by the fall of 2008 (Shubenacadie and Waycobah). 6. To facilitate the development of foundation documents and curriculum guidelines that are inclu- sive of Mi’kmaq language and culture. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objectives: • Work with community educators and Mi’kmaw elders to prioritize curriculum requirements. • Working with communities and elders, collaborate with the Province and School Boards to develop Mi’kmaq curriculum standards and foundation documents. • Working with community representatives to develop resource materials for use in all schools. 7. To assist in the provision of an appropriate range of second level services for member communi- ties. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of the following objectives: • Continue to identify 2nd level services requirements (Special Education, Sports/Recreation and Healthy Living) • Assess 2nd level requirement. • Develop a plan with options to address 2nd level services requirements. 8 Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey / Education 2004 - 2005 MI’KMAW KINA’MATNEWEY PROGRAM REPORT Strategic Planning ~ Lauretta Welsh ~ Director of Finance & Planning A three day educational planning symposium was held from March 9 to March 11, 2005, to develop the 2005-2006 operational plans for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) and its member com- munities. The goal of the annual symposium is to provide com- munity technician with the necessary tools to develop an educa- tion operational plan to further the education goals and objectives of their respective community and to identify common goals and objectives to align the operational direction of MK. The following topics were addressed during the symposium: • Highlights of Communities and MK 2004-2005