A pact was penned Monday committing the P.E.I. and federal governments to work in partnership with the aboriginal community on ways to improve the current troubling underperformance of Island Mi’kmaq learners.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on education, heralded by politicians and aboriginal leaders alike as historic, is aimed at formally declaring support for the province’s First Nation learners from early childhood to post-secondary education.
“I guess the most exciting piece of this announcement today is that it is a partnership,’’ said P.E.I. Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“If you look at the agreement that we signed, I mean really all of this really is going to have a direct impact in the success of First Nation children in our public school system.’’
Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis says there is plenty of room for improvement. He estimates the dropout rate in his own band on P.E.I. alarmingly falls between 20 and 25 percent.
“So we need to work on that,’’ he said.
“We need 100 per cent of our youth to go to school and go on to post-secondary education and colleges.’’
Francis says all of the proposed components in the agreement need to be put in place in a cohesive, rather than piecemeal, fashion.
The MOU provides a framework for collaboration that includes the development of a comprehensive joint education action plan.
The agreement also calls for the establishment of culturally affirming policies and programs - a critical element, stresses Francis.
“I think one very important thing that I will be looking for over the years is to have the Mi’kmaq language taught in the school system,’’ he told The Guardian following Monday’s signing ceremony that included traditional Mi’kmaq drumming.
“I think that is very important because we are losing are language. Language is a part of the culture.’’
Currie, who notes a Mi’kmaq language program will be pilotted early next year, says significantly addressing the cultural element is crucial in order to engage the Island’s aboriginal community.
“And if you are engaging the First Nations we’re optimistic there are going to be improved outcomes in the successes of First Nations’ children in the public school system,’’ he said.
“The (intended) outcome is that we continue to see more success and retention, that we see aboriginal students reaching their full potential and (we) continue to improve engagement in the public school system.’’
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada John Duncan voiced confidence in the agreement serving as a significant step towards delivering meaningful results and improving educational outcomes for First Nation students on P.E.I.
“From kindergarten to university, education shapes our lives and our opportunities,’’ he said.
“I am proud to be a participant in this historic partnership to support the Island’s First Nation learners on their education journey.
Duncan, Francis, Currie, Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard, Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram, who is also the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, and P.E.I. Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell all signed the MOU Monday.
The agreement, in addition to setting a framework for developing a joint action plan and establishing culturally affirming policies and programs, provides:
• A provincial commitment to reinvest a portion of tuition payments received from First Nations into educational programming for First Nation students.
• The development of new tuition fee agreements designed to support Mi’kmaq learners who attend public schools.
• Support for learner transitions between grade levels and school systems.
• The creation of new performance criteria and indicators to measure the improved education outcomes.
“This partnership establishes clear goals and strategies to support Mi’kmaq student achievement across our One Island Community,’’ said Bertram.
“By giving the Mi’kmaq community a stronger presence in our schools, we are providing the framework for student success as well as enhancing the cultural understanding of all students.’’
