VISION | MISSION “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.” “To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve: mino-pimatisiwin (Cree/Ojibway/Oji-Cree), honso aynai (Dene) CONTENTS and tokatakiya wichoni washte (Dakota)” 3 Message from the Board of Directors Board of Directors 4 Message from the Executive Director 5 MFNERC Elders Council 6 Historical Overview 7 First Nation School Listing by Team 8 Governance and Reporting Relationships 9 Services Overview 11 Programs Overview 12 Service Delivery Highlights 12 School Planning Program 15 Student Learning Assessment Program 17 Special Education Program 19 Training Initiatives Program 21 Support Services Highlights 21 First Nations Languages Program 24 Research and Development Program 26 Integrated Programs 30 Early Childhood Program 33 Private Home Placement Program 35 Structural Readiness Program 37 Publishing and Communications 40 Information Technology Highlights 40 Data Management Program 42 Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate 45 Other Projects 45 Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation Pilot Project 48 Financial Summary and Staff Comparison 49 Two Year Financial Summary 50 Partners 51 Conclusion 2 Annual Report 2013 - 2014 MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS We, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. (MFNERC) Board of Directors extend our warmest greetings to all members First Nations members of Manitoba! Nora Murdock In 2013-2014, MFNERC staff continued to provide services Chairperson, Board of Directors for Manitoba First Nations school staff to enhance school success programming for all students who attend on- BOARD OF DIRECTORS reserve schools. Since the inception of the Centre 15 years ago, the success stories and exciting advances in The MFNERC Board of Directors is comprised our schools continue to drive the work in First Nation of members who are leaders in education education. MFNERC specialists continue to facilitate the and/or hold education portfolios within delivery of much needed services in the areas of special their First Nations governance structure. education, assessment technology, numeracy, literacy, The Board is representative of both the science, land-based education, school planning, early childhood and First Nations languages and culture. It diverse regions of the province, as well as in is through all our partners in First Nations education the diverse languages of our First Nations. working together, that we can continue to ensure that The following were appointed by AMC children benefit from the best education possible; Executive Council of Chiefs for a three-year embracing their identities as First Nations people. term effective October 17, 2013 to October We recognize the education directors and school 17, 2016: administrators as they strive to ensure that our schools are safe and effective learning centers. We acknowledge Chief Representatives: the leadership of the school staff, the local school boards, Chief Clarence Easter, and parents and community members who all play a Chemawawin Cree Nation (North) critical role in the education of our children. Chief Nelson Houle, Ebb and Flow First Nation (South) The MFNERC Board of Directors is committed to continuing to work with all stakeholders in First Nations education Education Directors Representatives: endeavors that respect our treaties and honours our Alvin Grieves, traditions, languages and culture. Bunibonibee Cree Nation (re-appointed) Thank you to our Manitoba First Nations and Assembly Barry Bone, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation (re-appointed) of Manitoba Chiefs for continuing to serve our First Nations. We wish you all the best in your advocacy for our Debra Beach Ducharme, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation communities! Nora Murdock, Ekosani, Miigwetch, Mahsi-cho, Pidamaye, Thank you! Fisher River Cree Nation (re-appointed) Russell Sinclair, Fox Lake Cree Nation Thelma Nice, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Nora Murdock Chairperson, MFNERC Board of Directors Annual Report 2013 - 2014 3 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR On behalf of the staff of MFNERC, I am honoured to our own education system. If our schools continued present the Annual Report Highlights for 2013-2014. to work together supported by proper funding of a This report is intended to highlight the successes and First Nations support system, imagine what could challenges of the educational supports provided to be done in First Nations education! Regardless of our First Nation schools this year, as MFNERC staff the historic underfunding and under-resourcing, we continued to facilitate professional development remain true to our mission, “to help First Nations and networking among school staff. In reflecting improve education for all learners to achieve mino- on the past year, we celebrated several milestones; pimatisiwin” or “the good life”. We strive to impact particularly with the Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate the success of Manitoba’s 17,500 First Nations receiving official recognition as an official Manitoba students, the highest student population among all high school, to an all-time high of 478 students the regions across Canada. We want to empower our exhibiting science projects at the 12th Annual youth to receive the necessary education, to acquire Manitoba First Nations Science Fair! the skills required to meet the future with full self- I have always been a strong advocate of the collective confidence to accomplish anything they set their and trust that our schools benefit from working mind to. interdependently. Prior to 1998, our schools (58) On behalf of MFNERC, I extend my gratitude to were essentially one-school systems with little or no Manitoba First Nations leadership, all education support for second and third level services provided in authority/school board members, directors of all other jurisdictions. Thanks to the Manitoba Chiefs education, principals, vice-principals, teachers, and education directors, MFNERC has been able to resource teachers, educational assistants, guidance provide supports with notable impacts over the past counsellors, Elders and students who have 15 years. It is only through the support of our First participated in MFNERC gatherings, roundtable Nations leaders, educators and community members discussions, workshops, and conferences this year. that we are able to continue on the journey of hope, Thank you to our partner organizations whose towards our vision of assuming jurisdiction over valuable support assisted us in providing exemplary services and resources to the schools. 4 Annual Report 2013 - 2014 I thank the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the education directors who had the vision and foresight to create MFNERC in the first place. They realized that by working together as a united front, the Centre would benefit all First Nation schools and students in Manitoba. Lastly, I thank the MFNERC Board of Directors and Elders Council for their continued support and guidance, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada for their funding and in-kind support, and last, but not least, the staff of the Centre for their dedication and commitment to our schools and students. Ekosani, Miigwetch, Mahsi-cho, Pidamaye, Thank you! Lorne C. Keeper Executive Director MFNERC ELDERS COUNCIL MFNERC is also guided by Elders Representatives to the Board of Directors. The Elders are also represented of the regions of the province and the diverse languages of our First Nations. The following Elders were appointed by the AMC Executive Council of Chiefs for a three-year term effective October 17, 2013 to October 17, 2016: Evelyn Myran, Fisher River Cree Nation Gertie Ballantyne, Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation Gilbert North, Bunibonibee Cree Nation Harry Bone, Keeseekoowenin First Nation Lloyd Kirkness, Fox Lake Cree Nation Louie Malcolm, Ebb and Flow First Nation Pascal Bighetty, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Annual Report 2013 - 2014 5 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW MFNERC provides services and support to 58 First In 1998, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs established Nations schools from 49 Manitoba First Nations that MFNERC through resolution to provide coordinated are represented by five major linguistic groups; Cree, second and third level education services to Dakota, Dene, Ojibway and Oji-Cree. There is great Manitoba First Nation schools in accordance with diversity within the First Nations in Manitoba. Not only the Gathering Strength guidelines. In May 2000, the are there language and cultural differences, but also Chiefs-in-Assembly of the AMC passed a resolution demographics and regional diversity. Some of our to provide ongoing support for MFNERC. The Chiefs- communities are more connected to larger centres in-Assembly continued to support MFNERC in such as Brandon, Winnipeg and Thompson and thus accordance with the resolutions passed by the Chiefs have easier access to resources. Other communities on May 25, 2000 in Opaskwayak Cree Nation and on are so isolated that can only be accessed by air or May 30-June 1, 2006 in Dakota Tipi First Nation. winter roads. In June 2012, the Chiefs-in-Assembly and the Respecting the diversity of our First Nations is an Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs amended the mandate essential facet of the Centre’s ability to support the of the Centre to offer enhanced second level services schools in our communities. Best practices, informed (school division-type