Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission

BY US, FOR OUR FUTURE Maskwacîs Education before MESC

ERMINESKIN INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL 1894-1975

Residential School circa 1900 Original Ermineskin Indian Residential Ermineskin Residential Copyright Artist George School School Monument Littlechild Maskwacîs Education before MESC

1960s 1974 1975 1976 - 1991

1960s - 1972 1974 1975 1976 - 1991 Integration started in Maskwachees Cultural the Ermineskin the Federal government the late 1960’s and was College (MCC) is Residential School assumes responsibility in full swing by 1972. established closes from the Roman Transportation of Catholic church for students running the schools into Wetaskiwin and Ponoka became an economic development initiative for INAC Local Control of Education in Maskwacîs

1989 1991 1994 1996

1989 1991 1994 1996 Samson Nation creates Montana First Nation creates Nipisihkopahk creates Miyo Kisipatnahk School creates Meskanahk Ka Education Authority Wahkohtowin Society Nipa Wit School Education Authority Local Control of Education in Maskwacîs

1990 2017

1990 2017 Approximately ⅓ of Approximately ⅔ of ▸ 40% of school funding is grant funded children go to school on children go to school on ▸ Short term planning, reserve reserve ▸ low attendance rates ▸ Small school issues: a) teacher salaries, b) teacher retention rates ▸ limited second level services ▸ varying degree of success among our schools Something had to change Implementing our Treaty Right to Education Moving Forward: The Wâhkôhtowin Movement

2009 2010 2011 2012

2009 2010 2011 2012 The Pancake Accord, FNSSP becomes the Maskwacîs Education Maskwacîs Outreach The Wahkohtowin first major collaboration Steering Committee School is the second movement (MESC) is created major collaboration Moving Forward: The Wâhkôhtowin Movement

2015 2016 2017

2015 2016 2017 All 4 Chiefs & Councils The Transition: ▸ Federally incorporated MESC prepares to enter direct MESC to explore ▸ Board creation negotiations with INAC the creation of a single ▸ Second Management team on a new funding model treaty based Maskwacîs ▸ Secured funds

Education System ▸ Research consultants ▸ Communications plan ▸ Community engagement ▸ Negotiations training Why a Single Maskwacîs Education Authority?

▸ Best quality of education for all Maskwacîs children leading to improved results and student success and graduation. ▸ Focus on Maskwacîs defined success - following the Cree way ▸ Greater access to resources and services for all our schools and children ▸ Move toward a more sustainable funding model based on treaty right ▸ Breathing life back into the treaty relationship and implementing our Treaty Right to Education Implementing our Treaty Right to Education

“We’re practicing the treaties, we’re the ones implementing the treaties based on what we need” - Shannon Buffalo MESC Board Member & Councillor

“We are not giving up our treaty rights, what we are doing is figuring out how we pursue the Treaty right to education from our interpretation”

- Chief Darrell Strongman Montana First Nation

“You are implementing the treaty right to education as leaders. After all our children have treaty rights too”

- Chief Wilton Littlechild, Ermineskin Cree Nation

“Treaty is a spirit, when that pipe was lifted it left behind a spirit. And we have to renew that spirit. When people say we’re breaking the Treaty right to education, well I thought you can’t break natural law. You can only let it die by not keeping it alive. Well we did implement the Treaty right to education with MESC and we are keeping that Treaty spirit alive.”

- Brad Rabbit, Councillor, Montana First Nation Maskwacîs Dialogue

▸ Maskwacîs Declaration on Education

▸ Maskwacîs Education Law

▪ Wahkohtowin Inspired Board Governance

▸ Delegation Agreements Maskwacîs Cree Declaration on Education A declaration of our understanding and beliefs about education. Used guide in the development of MESC Maskwacîs Education Law

A law that establishes the creation of a Maskwacîs Cree Education system and governance structure. ▸ Sets out the obligations, responsibilities, and powers of the Board of Governors.

▸ Defines the roles of the Board, it’s officers, the Superintendent and the Director of Finance.

▸ Outlines the Wahkohtowin inspired Governance model. Maskwacîs Self Determination

INHERENT RIGHTS Jurisdiction

Ermineskin Cree Nation Louis Bull Tribe Montana First Nation Samson Cree Nation (RIGHTS) CROWN ● Education Law ● Band Council Resolutions ● Agreements

MESC Board of Governors implementing our Treaty Right Circle of Elders

● By-Laws ● Plans ● Policies ● monitor for results ● Motions Superintendent

● Administrative Procedures ● Plans ● Directives ● Handbooks Principals

● Procedures ● School Rules ● Handbooks ● Plans Wâhkôhtowin Inspired Governance Structure MESC Resource and Development Agreement May 18, 2018 MESC Resource & Development Agreement

▸ Identifies the roles and responsibilities of MESC and the Government of

▸ Renewal clause - 18 Months prior to the expiration, renegotiation or renewal discussions begin

▸ Cree culture, language and Treaty right recognition and protection and includes non-derogation clauses in the legally binding sections

▸ Commitment to implement TRC and UNDRIP

▸ Recognizes the Maskwacîs Education Law (governance) MESC Resource & Development Agreement

▸ Management of education service agreements with provincial schools

▸ Future discussions clause

▸ Transition plan funding for 10 years

▸ Based on the Cree ideas of Îyinîw Mâmitonehicikan, Nehiyaw Pimâtisiwin, Nehiyawewin, and Wâhkôhtowin

▸ It acknowledges that the language of instruction in our schools will be Cree (or either of the two official languages English or French) MESC Resource & Development Agreement

▸ Maskwacîs decides on performance measures

▸ The ability to carry over surpluses from year to year

▸ Each Nation continues to receive band support funding for the length of the agreement

▸ Maskwacîs funding model: Annual review of agreement allows MESC to discuss changes to the Maskwacîs Funding Model which uses the and B.C. Provincial Funding Manuals as standards Maskwacîs Funding Model

▸ Core funding for ten years

▸ End of proposal driven dollars

▸ Board of Governors direct funds to community priorities

▸ Enhanced funding ($2400 per student) for , culture, literacy and numeracy

▸ Full funding for K4 and K5

▸ Employee pension contribution 6.5%

▸ Clause to protect against potential funding decreases. Any decrease can not be more than 1.5% MASKWACÎS CREE - GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

▸ Non-derogation clause

▸ Alberta’s commitment to acts of reconciliation

▸ Commitment to implement UNDRIP and TRC

▸ $500,000 establishment grant

▸ $2,000 per pupil enhancement grant annually

▸ Conditional grants

▸ 10 year agreement Key Steps in Creating MESC

Develop an Implementation Plan with Negotiation Strategy and Training Key Goals and Strategies. Clear Vision ▸ Identify your interests ▸ Build from strength (What have you done ▸ Develop a list of options and alternatives already) ▪ What can you live with? Quality Research Team & Consultants ▪ Best Alternative to no agreement ▸ Be prepared collect data & know your facts Develop Important Documents (facility assessment, program review, policy review, technology inventory) ▸ Declaration ▸ Maskwacîs Education Law Develop a Communication Strategy ▸ Delegation ▸ Consultation plan ▸ MESC Resource and Development Agreement ▸ Social media Campaign ▪ Maskwacis Funding model ▸ Key messages ▸ Maskwacîs - Alberta Framework Agreement ▸ Branding and Identity 2019-2020 Organizational Structure

Our students matter most How did we spend our Money

▸ Increased our staff ▸ Development of a Reserve Fund from surplus ▸ Second level services ▸ Maskwacîs Curriculum Development ▸ Staff salaries (meet or exceed surrounding ▸ $6.7M in capital projects and upgrades provincial school boards: 5%) ▸ Technology upgrade investment ▸ Improved pension (MESC contribute 6.5%) and ▸ Bus App benefits (MESC pays 100% long term disability) ▸ Purchased fleet of buses and vehicles ▸ Universal foods program 2018-2019 HIGHLIGHTS

National award winning Nanâtohk Mîciwin (universal school foods program) 2150 provides healthy breakfast, lunch and snack options for 2150 students every day. $535/student annually ($1.50/meal)

MESC has enhanced the relationships with surrounding school districts through the management of Education Service Agreements (ESA). 30% of Maskwacis students choose to attend provincial schools. i.e agreement ESA to develop joint strategies and sharing information.

Increased student completion at Nipisihkopahk Secondary School from 85% approximately 45% to 85%

MESC held the second annual minahowin (Buffalo Harvest) on September 12, 2019. Two buffalo were brought to two schools for skinning and finishing by students and staff. They also had the LAND opportunity to take home meat . minahowin (bualo harvest) 2018-2019 HIGHLIGHTS

MESC has begun the development of a holistic Maskwacîs Early Learning Program and Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) Curriculum. The MCDG Maskwacîs Curriculum Development Guide was released September 27, 2019

Grade 6 PAT ELA Results: 92.6% of students at Ermineskin Elementary School who wrote the test are writing at acceptable or 92.6% excellent standards

MESC has hosted 54 community engagement sessions with youth, UNITY Elders, parents, Leadership, and staff. Consulting with over 3500 people in regards to education priorities in Maskwacîs.

Increased First nation staff from 64% to 70% in first year. Hired 20 Maskwacîs teachers STAFF Enrollment

2144 MESC students in 2019

2099 students in 2018 MESC Future Plans

▸ Develop and Implement Maskwacîs Curriculum ▸ Maskwacîs Composite High School ▸ Ermineskin Kindergarten School ▸ Changes to the Maskwacîs Funding Model ▪ Include transition plan funding ▪ Additional ESA’s funds - programming ▪ Increased transportation funding ▪ 7 core strategies By us, for our future Building relationships to improve student success

Hai Hai