First Nations Education Steering Committee
First Nations Schools Association
GATHERING STRENGTH
EDUCATION REFORM
2002/2003
Collective Activities, First Nations Schools Stream
and
Community Stream Initiatives
FINAL REPORT
January 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
Introduction 9
Collective Research and Information Sharing 9
FNSA and FNESC Special Education Update 9
FNSA and FNESC Capacity Building Activities Update 9
Speakers Series 11
Literacy 11
Behavior 12
Record Keeping 12
Board Training 12
Conflict Resolution 13
Parents Club 13
Language Curriculum Development Workshops 14
Career Planning Materials and Workshops 16
Funding for Local Program Development and Delivery - Summary 17
First Nations School Stream 17
Capacity Building Activities 18
Stay-in-School Initiatives Error! Bookmark not defined.
Integrating Services Activities 19
Capacity Building Initiatives, Summary Table 20
Stay-In-School Initiatives, Summary Table 22
Integrating Services, Summary Table 24
First Nations Community Stream Summary 26
Management Activities 26
Quality Activities 27
Community Activities 27
Strengthening Education Management and Governance Capacity Table 28
Improving the Effectiveness of Classroom Instruction Table 29
Supporting Community and Parental Involvement in School Table 29
Aiding the School to Work Transition Table 31
Summary 32
SCHOOL REPORTS
Aatse Davie School 34
Acwsalcta Nuxalk School and Nursery School 35
Agnes George Nursery School 36
A’q’amnik Elementary and Preschool School 37
Bella Bella Community School 38
Blueberry Band School 39
Bonaparte School 40
Boquilla School 41
Busy Bear Preschool 42
Chalo School 43
Chehalis Community School 44
Chi Chuy Preschool 46
Chief Atahm School 47
Chief Matthew Community School 49
Chilliwack Landing Preschool 50
Coldwater School 51
Coldwater Resource Tech School 53
Eugene Joseph School 55
First Nations High School 57
Fort Babine Elementary School 58
Fountain Band Preschool 59
George Manual Institute 60
Gitanmaax Nursery School 61
Gitanyow Independent School 62
GitGingolx Wilp Nursery School 64
GitGingolx Wilp Wiloxskw Adult School 65
Gitsegukla Elementary School 66
Gitwangak Elementary School 67
Gitwangak Adult School 68
Gitwinksihlkw Nursery School 69
Gitwinksihlkw Elementary School 70
Gwa’Sala’Nakwaxda’xw School 71
Haahuupayak School 73
Haisla Community School 74
Hartley Bay School 75
Head of the Lake School 76
Hot Springs Cove School 77
Houpsitas Kindergarten Nursery School 78
Iiyus Stuliqul School 79
Ittatsoo Preschool/ Kindergarten School 81
Jean Marie Joseph School 82
Jean Marie Joseph Adult Centre 84
K’ay Skak Higher Learning Centre 85
Kispiox Community School 87
Kitasoo Community School 88
Klappan Independent Day School 89
Klusklus Survival School 90
Kuper Island Band School 91
Kwadacha Dune Ty Centre 93
Kwanwatsi Band School 94
Kyah Wiget Adult Centre 95
Lach Klan Elementary, Junior, Secondary, Nursery School 96
Lau’wel’new Tribal School 98
Laxgalts’ap Nursery Daycare School 100
Lakalzap Elementary School 102
Lax Kwa’alaams Community School 103
Lip’Alhye School 104
Little Fawn Nursery School 105
Lower Nicola Band School 107
Lower Similkameen Band School and Tee Pee Tot Preschool 109
Maaqtusiis Community School 111
Meares Island Preschool/Nursery School 112
Moricetown Elementary School 113
Morris William Memorial Preschool 115
Mount Pendleton School 116
Muskoti Learning Centre 117
Musqueam Cooperative Preschool 119
Na Aksa Gila Kyew Learning Centre 120
Nadleh Koh School 121
Nagwuntl’oo School 122
Nak’albun Elementary School 123
Nathan Barton Elementary School 124
Neqweyqwelsten School 125
Nisga’a Elementary/Secondary School 126
N’Kwala School 128
Nus Wadeezulth Community School 129
Nutsumaat Lelum Child Care Society 130
Outma Squilxw Cultural & Sunshine Pre-School 132
Pacheedaht Pre-School 133
Penticton Indian Band Education Centre 134
Prophet River Dene Tsaa School 135
Qwam Qwum Stalicut Community School 136
Rosie Seymour Elementary School 137
Saikuz Elementary School 138
Seabird Island Community School 139
Sechelt Band Education Centre 141
Secwepemc Cultural Education Society 142
Sen*Pok*Chin* School & Inkameep Pre-School 144
Sensisyusten House of Learning School 145
Shihiya Elementary Band School 146
Skidegate Band Nursery School 147
Sk’il Mountain Community School 148
Sn-c’c’-mala?-tn School 149
Songhees Band School 150
Stein Valley N’lakapamux School 151
Stu”ate Lelum Secondary School 152
Switzemalph #6 Learning Centre 153
Sum-sha-thut Lellum School 155
Sxoxomic Community School 156
Takla Lake Adult Centre 157
Ted Williams Memorial Learning Centre 158
T’it’q’et Preschool 159
Tl’azten Adult Learning Centre 160
Tl’etinqox School 161
T’lisalagi’lakw School 162
Tlesqox Elementary School 164
Totem Preschool 165
Tsawataineuk First Nation School 166
Tsay Keh Dene School 167
Tsi Deldel School 168
Ts’kw’aylaxw Preschool 169
Wagalus School 171
Waglisla Integrated Studies 172
We Waikai Nursery School 174
X.Ox.Malku School 175
Xit’olacw Community School 177
Xwemelchsten Nursery School 178
Yaqan Nuki School 179
Ya Thuy Thut Training Centre 180
Yunesit’in?Esgul (Stone) School 182
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Adams Lake Band 184
Aitchelitz Band 185
Alexis Creek First Nation 186
Ashcroft Indian Band 187
Blueberry River First Nation 188
Bonaparte Indian Band 189
Boston Bar First Nation 190
Bridge River Indian Band 191
Burns Lake Indian Band 192
Campbell River Indian Band 193
Canim Lake Indian Band 194
Canoe Creek Indian Band 195
Cape Mudge Band 196
Cayoose Creek Band 197
Chawathil First Nation 198
Cheam Indian Band 200
Chehalis Indian Band 201
Chemainus First Nation 202
Cheslatta Carrier Nation 203
Coldwater Indian Band 204
Columbia Lake Indian Band 205
Comox Indian Band 206
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band 207
Cowichan Tribes 208
Da’naxda’xw First Nation 209
Doig River First Nation 210
Douglas First Nation 211
Esketemc First Nation 212
Esquimalt Nation 213
Fort Nelson First Nation 214
Gitanmaax Band Council 215
Gitsegukla Indian Band 216
Glen Vowell Indian Band 217
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation 218
Gwawaenuk Tribe 220
Hagwilget Village Council 221
Halalt First Nation 222
Hartley Bay Village Council 223
Heiltsuk Nation 224
Hesquiaht First Nation 226
High Bar First Nation 227
Homalco Indian Band 228
Hupacasath First Nation 230
Huu-ay-aht First Nation 231
Iskut First Nation 232
Kamloops Indian Band 233
Kanaka Bar Indian Band 234
Katzie First Nation 235
Kispiox Band Council 236
Kitamaat Village Council 237
Kitasoo Band Council 238
Kitkatla First Nation 239
Kitselas Indian Band 241
Klahoose First Nation 242
Kwadacha Nation 243
Kwakiutl Band Council 244
Kwantlen First Nation 246
Kwikwetlem First Nation 247
Lakahahmen First Nation 248
Lax-kw’alaams Indian Band 249
Lhoosk’uz Dene’ Government Administration 250
Little Shuswap Indian Band 251
Lower Kootenay Indian Band 252
Lower Nicola Indian Band 253
Lower Similkameen Indian Band 254
Lyackson First Nation 255
Malahat First Nation 256
Mamalilikulla-Qwe’Qwa’Sot’em Band 257
Matsqui First Nation 258
McLeod Lake Indian Band 259
Metlakatla Band 260
Moricetown Band Administration 261
Mount Currie First Nation 262
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation 263
Musqueam Indian Band 264
Nadleh Whut’en Band 265
Nak’azdli Band 266
‘Namgis First Nation 267
Nanoose First Nation 269
Nazko Band Government 270
Nee-Tahi-Buhn First Nation 271
Neskonlith Indian Band 272
Nicomen Indian Band 273
Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw 274
Nisga’a Village of Laxgalt’sap 275
Nisga’a Village of New Aiyansh 276
Nooaitch Indian Band 277
North Thompson Indian Band 278
N’Quatqua Band 279
Nuchatlaht Tribe 280
Nuxalk Nation 281
Okanagan Indian Band 282
Old Masset Village Council 283
Oregon Jack Creek Band 284
Osoyoos Indian Band 285
Oweekeno Nation 286
Penelakut Tribe 287
Penticton Indian Band 288
Peters Indian Band 289
Popkum Indian Band 290
Prophet River First Nation 292
Qualicum First Nation 293
Quatsino First Nation 294
Saik’uz First Nation 295
Samahquam Band 296
Saulteau First Nation 297
Seabird Island Band 298
Sechelt Indian Band 299
Semiahmoo First Nation 300
Seton Lake Band 301
Shackan Indian Band 302
Shuswap Indian Band 303
Shxw’ow’hamel First Nation 304
Siska Indian Band 305
Skatin First Nation 306
Skawahlook First Nation 307
Skeetchestn Indian Band 308
Skidegate Band Council 309
Skin Tyee Band 310
Skowkale First Nation 311
Skuppah Indian Band 312
Skwah First Nation 313
Skway First Nation 314
Sliammon First Nation 315
Snuneymuxw First Nation 316
Soda Creek Indian Band 317
Songhees First Nation 318
Squamish First Nation 319
St. Mary’s Indian Band 320
Stellat’en First Nation 321
Stone Indian Band 322
Sumas First Nation 323
Tahltan Indian Band 324
Takla Lake First Nation 325
T’it’q’et Administration 326
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation 327
Tl’azt’en Nation 328
Tl’etinqox-t’in Government Office 329
Tobacco Plains Indian Band 330
Toosey Indian Band 331
Tsawataineuk Indian Band 332
Tsawout First Nation 333
Tsawwassen First Nation 334
Tsay Keh Dene Band 335
Tseshaht First Nation 336
Tsleil-Waututh First Nation 337
T’Sou-ke Nation 338
Tzeachten First Nation 339
Uchucklesaht People’s Government 341
Ucluelet First Nation 342
Ulkatcho First Nation 343
Union Bar Indian Bar 344
Upper Nicola Band 345
Upper Similkameen Indian Band 346
Westbank First Nation 347
West Moberly First Nations 348
Wet’suwet’en First Nation 349
Whispering Pines Indian Band 350
Williams Lake Indian Band 351
Xaxli’p First Nation 352
Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government 353
Yale First Nation 354
Yekooche First Nation 355
Appendix 1 - School Stream Interim Reports
Appendix 2 - Community Stream Interim Reports
Appendix 3 - First Nations Schools Allocation Tables
Appendix 4 - First Nations Communities Allocation Table Introduction
Historically, the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) have worked cooperatively to assist First Nations Schools in their efforts to provide quality education to their students.
For the past five years, Gathering Strength initiatives of the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) have made a significant contribution to those efforts, and have allowed for the implementation of a range of useful activities at both the provincial and regional levels.
In 2002/2003, the FNSA/FNESC continued to expand upon many of the successful, ongoing initiatives, and implemented additional new programs to support First Nations schools and communities.
The FNSA and FNESC were responsible for allocating funding from DIA for Gathering Strength Education Reform initiatives for the 2002/2003 year. The FNSA and FNESC allocated the Gathering Strength funding through three streams focused in key areas:
· Collective Research and Information Sharing
· First Nations School Stream
· First Nations Community Stream
Collective Research and Information Sharing
In the area of collective research and information sharing FNESC and the FNSA were directed by First Nations communities to undertake research, host workshops and provide support in a number of areas including capacity building, stay-in-school, integrating services, and special education activities.
FNSA and FNESC Special Education Update
One of the most important areas addressed in the past five years relates to special education services in First Nations schools. Reporting for the 2002/2003 special education activities, toll-free support line, and direct services through special education personnel are reported in a Report on the 2003 Special Education Funding prepared by FNESC/FNSA in July 2003.
FNSA and FNESC Capacity Building Activities Update
Continued First Nations School Assessments
For the past three years, the FNSA and FNESC have facilitated discussions and prepared information related to a key aspect of school operations – school assessment. Following a series of consultation meetings, Meeting Our Expectations: A Framework for the Assessment of First Nations Schools was published in 1999. Based upon that foundation, the FNSA continued to refine the framework presented, and developed a detailed school assessment template as well as a range of support materials. For the past two years, those materials have been used to support over thirty assessment projects implemented by First Nations schools throughout BC, which have been funded by DIA.
During that time, Gathering Strength funding has been used for a number of activities to support the overall school assessment program. A range of support materials has been produced for the program, including pamphlets and handbooks for parents and community members, and each year three workshops have been organized for participating schools. In particular, the Gathering Strength funding has also sponsored several workshops for training of external assessors. Since its establishment, First Nations schools have requested that the FNSA organize an exchange of personnel for the purpose of school assessment. Through the Gathering Strength program, this goal has been addressed, with a growing team of individuals who work in First Nations schools being trained to work with other schools to review their assessment work and offer suggestions and feedback.
The FNSA and FNESC continued this work in the 2002/2003 school year. It is widely believed that effective assessment processes are critical for the accountability of First Nations schools, and many First Nations representatives continue to assert their commitment to a constructive review of their operations and success. In order to support schools in attaining that goal, it was crucial that the FNSA and FNESC continued to provide opportunities for people to gather together and share their experiences and understandings of the assessment processes.
In 2002/2003, therefore, Gathering Strength funding was used to expand the mentoring component of the initiative, which involved individuals experienced with the First Nations schools assessment project offering advice to participating schools throughout the school year. Initially, the mentors met early in the school year to share their ideas, and then the mentoring support was offered largely through e-mail and telephone. The mentoring component proved to be extremely useful, but too limited in its current structure. Therefore, for the last school year, the mentoring component was expanded to include school visits and personal meetings, so that the mentors offered even greater support to the schools that were new to the concept of assessment.
In order to ensure the continued effectiveness of this initiative, First Nations schools that undertook an assessment project continued to be asked to submit a full final report, including feedback about the FNSA organized support activities.
The immediate outcomes were:
· 40-50 individuals trained in school assessment, including the mentoring and external assessor components
· The further enhancement of school assessment training materials which are available to all schools
The longer-term outcomes were:
· An increase in the number of meaningful assessments conducted in First Nations schools, contributing to their long-term effectiveness and community confidence in the schools
· A more enhanced program of exchanges to facilitate the external component of First Nations schools assessments, and a stronger mentoring component to this process.
Speakers Series
For the past three years, Gathering Strength funding has been used to organize a Speakers Series, which has involved over fifty workshops in communities throughout the province. Teachers, teaching assistants, education coordinators, parents, school board members and interested community members have attended the Speakers Series workshops. Those workshops focused on ways to support children, special education topics, literacy, record keeping, conflict resolution, and board training.
The FNESC and FNSA continued to offer this successful initiative for a 2003 Speaker Series. Individuals with expertise related to special education, capacity building, and stay-in-school activities facilitated workshops in a variety of locations throughout the province. Attendees were able to attend the workshops for a nominal fee of $50.00 per participant. This series of workshops supported First Nations schools and communities in their efforts to provide quality educational programs to First Nations students. Many of the speakers who led the Speakers Series workshops last year returned and provided workshops in new locations around the province. Workshop topics for the 2003 included: Literacy, Behavior, Record Keeping, Board Training and Conflict Resolution. Workshop content and facilitator(s) were as follows:
Literacy
Workshop: Strategies for Improving Reading in At-Risk Learners
Presenter: Kim Marcum
This workshop took a practical look at reading research for early readers and included strategies for improving reading skills at the primary and intermediate levels. Participants learned techniques for improving students’ fluency, phonemic awareness, and comprehension.
Kim Marcum is a long-time educator with an extensive background in special education. Kim has taught both elementary and secondary behaviorally disabled students and has worked as a principal in Washington State, USA for 16 years. Her workshops in the areas of behavior management, study skills, and reading research are highly regarded. She is also co-author of the Administrator’s Desk Reference of Behavior Management and Project ACCESS, a study skills program designed for at-risk students.