2017-2018 MFNSS Annual Report
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MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS SCHOOL SYSTEM | 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. is guided by the following vision and mission statements: VISION Support First Nations to develop and implement a comprehensive holistic educational system inclusive of First Nations languages, world views, values, beliefs, and traditions with exemplary academic standards, under First Nation jurisdiction. MISSION To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve: mino-pimatisiwin. Cree, Ojibwe, Ojibwe-Cree To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve: honso aynai. Dene To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve: tokadakiya wichoni washte. Dakota CONTENTS MESSAGES Chairperson ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Director ............................................................................................................................................... 2 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS SCHOOL SYSTEM ................................................................3 School Profiles ................................................................................................................................4 Miskooseepi School ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Sergeant Tommy Prince School ...................................................................................................................... 6 Mahpiya Hdega School ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Fox Lake School ...............................................................................................................................................10 Keeseekoowenin School .................................................................................................................................12 Lake Manitoba School .....................................................................................................................................14 Lake St. Martin School .....................................................................................................................................16 Pinaymootang School .....................................................................................................................................18 Ginew School .....................................................................................................................................................20 George Saunders Memorial School ..............................................................................................................22 Instructional Services ..................................................................................................................24 Administrative Support ...................................................................................................................................26 First Nations Language & Culture ..................................................................................................................27 Early Learning ....................................................................................................................................................29 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment .........................................................................................................30 Literacy ...............................................................................................................................................................32 Numeracy ...........................................................................................................................................................34 Physical Education & Health ..........................................................................................................................36 MFNSS Inaugural Sporting Events Are a Hit ................................................................................................. 37 Science ................................................................................................................................................................38 Educational Technology .................................................................................................................................39 Education Administration ...............................................................................................................................40 School Performance Management ...............................................................................................................41 Student Support Services ...............................................................................................................................42 School Data Management ..............................................................................................................................43 Private Home Placement ................................................................................................................................44 Facilities & Operations .................................................................................................................47 MFNSS Supports Set-Up of Temporary School to Assist Displaced Students .......................................... 48 Operations & Maintenance .............................................................................................................................49 Communications ..............................................................................................................................................50 Transportation ..................................................................................................................................................51 Summary of Internet Connectivity ..........................................................................................52 School Staff & Students...............................................................................................................54 Finance Summary July 1, 2017–March 31, 2018 ....................................................................58 Appendix A: MFNSS Organizational Chart ...............................................................................61 MESSAGE from the CHAIRPERSON Chief Clarence Easter Chemawawin Cree Nation On behalf of the MFNERC Board, I am pleased to pres- also addressed the health and safety of school facilities ent the Manitoba First Nations School System (MFNSS) to ensure students have a safe learning environment. Annual Report for 2017–18, which highlights some of School staff, principals, and directors of education have the accomplishments, as well as the challenges, of our shared that students feel more motivated and excited First Nations school division. MFNERC established about attending school. We established MFNSS for this the school system in response to requests from First reason—to better support the students. Nations leaders seeing a need to work collectively to benefit students. This year marked a historic milestone I thank the leadership of our 10 partnering First Nations with the start-up of MFNSS on July 1, 2017, in part- who have a shared vision of creating a better education nership with 10 First Nations. system for students. This reflects the original vision of the Chiefs in 1971 in Wahbung, Our Tomorrows, when We appreciate all who helped establish MFNSS. The they stated the importance of education and excellence success of the school system springs from the efforts in education programs. of directors of education, school administrators, school staff, MFNERC staff, Elders, and First Nations With the school system, we move closer towards achiev- leadership from the partnering First Nations. I also ing the vision of MFNERC to “support First Nations to acknowledge my former co-chair of the MFNERC develop and implement a comprehensive holistic educa- Board, former Chief Stephanie Blackbird, who played tional system inclusive of First Nations languages, world a key role in supporting MFNSS. views, values, beliefs and traditions with exemplary academic standards, under First Nation jurisdiction.” While some challenges existed in the first year of MFNSS operations, we also enjoyed many successes, from increased levels of resourcing for schools—which Ekosani, meant more education materials, library books, and Chief Clarence Easter computers—to more comparable teacher salaries. We www.mfnerc.org 1 MESSAGE from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lorne C. Keeper, M.Ed Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation On behalf of MFNERC, I am happy to present the Throughout the winter of 2016, 10 First Nations signed annual report of the Manitoba First Nations School Education Delegation Agreements to join the school System for 2017–18. MFNSS is the first of its kind in system, which represents the collective vision of First Canada and is a First Nations-led initiative, one that Nations to provide an improved quality of education is linguistically and culturally relevant with a focus on based on a foundation of our languages and cultures. high quality education. In December 2016, our Board of Directors signed the Education Governance Agreement with the Minister I start by acknowledging