Maskwacîs Cree Chiefs host signing ceremony to celebrate landmark education agreement with Government of Canada

MASKWACÎS, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, May 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the four Maskwacîs Cree Chiefs hosted a public ceremony to celebrate the signing of a landmark First Nations education agreement between the Maskwacîs Cree Nations and the Government of Canada, marking the official transition of true local control of education to Cree Nations in Maskwacîs.

Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief Craig Makinaw , Louis Bull Tribe Chief Irvin Bull, Montana First Nation Chief Leonard Standingontheroad and Samson Cree Nation Chief Vernon Saddleback joined Canada's Minister of Indigenous Services (ISC) Jane Philpott to participate in a formal signing ceremony to mark the completion of negotiations for the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission Resource and Development Agreement.

The Agreement ensures that all 11 Maskwacîs schools—serving more than 2,300 students are now under the full administrative control of the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC). MESC will serve as the single education authority for students living in the Maskwacîs area.

"This is an historic moment: Through this Agreement, Maskwacîs Cree Nations have exercised their Treaty right to education by delegating education responsibility to MESC to provide a quality and culturally relevant education for Maskwacîs children," said Brian Wildcat, Superintendent of MESC schools.  

ISC Minister Philpott travelled from Ottawa, Ontario, to be in attendance in Maskwacîs and participate in the day's events: "It is with great pride that I could be a part of this historic ceremony to highlight the Maskwacîs education authority in Treaty 6 territory. I want to congratulate the community for their tremendous efforts in making this new education authority a reality—a project led by First Nations for First Nations. Your vision will help promote Cree culture and will benefit students as well as the entire community."

The details of this Agreement have been in negotiation with the Chiefs and Councils of the Maskwacîs Cree and ISC (formerly, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) over the past year, centered around the need for better integration of Cree language and traditions, and a more unified school system with guaranteed long-term funding for all Maskwacîs schools. "We are now better able to develop course curriculum that reflects the unique needs, traditions and values of our communities in Maskwacîs," shared MESC Board of Governors Chair Nina Makinaw.

Another key factor in MESC's creation and delegation of education authority to MESC was parity: "Under a new, Cree-based school system, every child in Maskwacîs will receive the same, high quality of education—regardless of where they live or which Nation they are from. We have the funding and community support to ensure no child will be left behind," says Makinaw.

Since 2011, Maskwacîs Cree Chiefs and educators have worked together to identify the specific programmatic changes that MESC schools should consider. Key among them is the utilization of Indigenous knowledge and philosophy to support the preservation and revitalization of Cree language, culture, natural laws and protocols.

To support that priority, MESC has held more than 30 community consultations throughout the Maskwacîs area to seek input from parents, former students, community leaders and Elders for guidance in the creation of a Cree-based school system. "Through our work within community, we've identified that MESC must indigenize its curriculum, practices and policies by adhering to four key Cree principles: Wâhkôhtowin (the belief that all things are related and connected), Nehiyawewin (Cree language), Nehiyaw Pimâtisôwin (Cree way of life) and Îyinîw Mâmitonehicikan (Cree thinking)," shared Wildcat. It was identified that land-based learning will also be an important part of Maskwacîs schools.

The protection of Treaty 6 rights was identified as a key concern among Maskwacîs community members. However, this Agreement has enabled Maskwacîs Cree Nations to revitalize their individual Treaty relationships with the Government of Canada, and forge a new trail that will allow other First Nations to assert their Treaty right to culturally relevant education, should they choose to use the Maskwacîs' education agreement as a model in their own negotiations with the Government of Canada.

Today's events included a pipe ceremony,  a Grand Entry led by powwow singers and dancers from Maskwacîs schools, followed by the signing of official documents. At the end of the formal gathering, the Maskwacîs community was invited to share a community lunch with Agreement signatories and other community guests including Treaty 6 Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde.

ABOUT MESC

Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) is the new education authority for all 11 schools and two Head Start programs in Maskwacîs. The primary goal of MESC is improving educational opportunities, services and student success for all students who attend our schools in Maskwacîs.

SOURCE Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: Whitney Brown, Communications Specialist, [email protected], 778.834.9286; Ashley Dennehy, Communications Coordinator, [email protected], 780.585.3333