ABORIGINAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ELDERS COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake), Board Office

570 Johnstone Road, Nelson, B.C. Thursday, November 1, 2018

9:00 am – 3:00 pm PST

PRESENT Gail Higginbottom – District Principal of Aboriginal Education Danica Weager – Indigenization Coordinator Maurice Trudel – Nelson and Area Metis Representative (left at 9:43 am) (returned at 1:03 pm) Jesse Halton – KLTF Teacher Representative Laury Carriere – PVP Representative Nina Latham – CUPE Alternate Rhonda Basil – Lower Kootenay Band Elder (arrived 9:53 am) Karen Smith - Lower Kootenay Band Elder (arrived 9:52 am) Nerissa Joseph - Secwepemc Nation Representative, Splatsin Arlene “Frankie” Joseph - Secwepemc Nation Representative, Elder Dylan Peil – Student Advisor, LVR Laurie Wilson - Okanagan Nation Alliance Representative Sisuse Wilson - Okanagan Nation Alliance Young One in Training

VIA CONFERENCE CALL Nil

REGRETS Anita Early – CUPE Representative Sharon Nazaroff – Trustee Lenora Trenaman – Trustee Alternate Bob Adams – Metis Elder Sinixt Nation Representatives, Shelly Boyd

Gallery Toni Appleby – AYWL, LVR Dr. Christine Perkins – Superintendent Shannon Ellis – Secretary, Innovative Learning Services

1. CALL TO ORDER

District Principal Higginbottom called the meeting to order at 9:07 am

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ABORIGINAL TERRITORY

We acknowledge, respect and honor the First Nations in whose traditional territoriesthe Kootenay Lake School District operates and all Aboriginal people residing withinthe boundaries of School District#8.

OPENING PRAYER

G. Higginbottom and D. Weager shared the Traveling Song

Minutes – Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders Council Meeting School District 8 Kootenay Lake November 1, 2018 Page | 2

CIRCLE INTRODUCTIONS

All members of the circle introduced themselves, the Nation they represent, and their role on the council. “Staying Strong Together” Activity, led by Danica Weager

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The agenda of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee and Elders Council November 1, 2018 Meeting adopted as circulated.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Amendments: (provided in email from Don Courson and shared by Gail Higginbottom)

● Don Courson – President of the Nelson and Area Metis Society ● Bob Adams – Elder ● Maurice Trudel – Nelson and Area Metis / SD8 Representative ● Elder’s perspective – Don wanted to indicate that Metis Elders invited into

schools should have an acknowledgement from the local Community to represent the Metis community.

ONA

Shared by Laurie Wilson:

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) was formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan which represents the 8 member communities including; Okanagan Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower and Upper Similkameen Indian Bands and the Colville Confederated Tribes on areas of common concern. What started out as a Title and Rights movement moved into Natural Resources management initiative. Now the ONA work to provide technical fisheries assistance for the Nation and its eight member communities and acts as a liaison between fisheries agencies. We are actively involved in the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish stocks, and in particular with Okanagan River sockeye salmon.

The ONA Wellness Committee consists of 28 members and work towards and support the safety, health and wellbeing of their children, families, communities and land.

They welcome other Nations to learn from their Kwu x ̌ast which is a pilot prevention program that creates a space for children to safely express and explore their creativity through a variety of art forms and settings. This program is easily transferred to other school districts. The focus of this program is on identity, pride and history, specific to mental health.

ONA has a variety of resources that they are willing to share with others.

The motto: “responsible for people in the territory”. They want to participate actively in the future. They believe the local people are the champions and experts

Minutes – Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders Council Meeting School District 8 Kootenay Lake November 1, 2018 Page | 3

of their lands. They resist a “pan-Indian” approach to education and are happy to provide resources.

Maurice Trudel: Asked for clarification on Sisuse’s role. Laurie: She is a young one in training and a singer; She is following her aunties to various events to learn from them. Gail Higginbottom – gifted Laurie and Sisuse with a sage bundle.

SECWEPEMC Shared by Nerissa Joseph:

The Secwepemc People, are also known as the Shuswap People. They are a Nation of 17 bands occupying the south central part of the province and is made up of over 10,000 members. Historically, the Secwepemc peoples were made up of upto 32 specific bands/communities. Nerissa is on the SDS83 Education Council. The district is undergoing a review this year and is also in a state of change with district Aboriginal education leadership. They have a new District Principal of Indigenous Education, Anne Tenning, and with her support, the Nation will be participating in the provincial Equity Scan. Short Video Presentation, featuring Chief Wayne Christian from the Splatsin Band. The Nation generates 40% of their own source revenue. Currently, the Band owned and operated school has 57 students grades 1-7, which outnumbers the number of indigenous students from the nation, attending SD83 schools. They have 4 non-indigenous teachers this year, a Cultural Worker from the community and an Elder who teaches language. The classrooms are multi-grade. Gail Higginbottom gifted Nerissa and Frankie with sage bundles.

LOWER KOOTENAY LAKE BAND Shared by Karen Smith:

LKB is a small band in South Creston. Total population is just over 200 members in total with 100 people living on reserve. In a move towards financial independence the Band has purchased Ainsworth Hot springs, Morris Flowers, developing farmland and have an heard of cattle. The Band currently has 7 Aboriginal students in the SD8 school system and 18 Aboriginal students in the on-reserve school, Yaqan Nukiy School. There are also non-Aboriginal students attending Yaqan Nukiy School. They have six classroom teachers, a .6 art/music teacher and a language and culture teacher. They have a strong Local Education Agreement with SD8 and close relationship with the Creston Family of Schools which includes share pro-d opportunities with SD8.

Minutes – Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders Council Meeting School District 8 Kootenay Lake November 1, 2018 Page | 4

Karen shared the resources that were developed to explain the Ktunaxa history and to support classroom teachers. There is a general spirit of collaboration with the Creston Family of Schools and School District 8.

Laury Carriere – thanked Karen for the invitation to join an event at Yaqan Nukiy School.

The LKB are negotiating jurisdiction for BC First Nations Education Authority to independently govern K-12 education on the reserve.

Jesse Halton: shared the resources are well laid out and easy to use. He appreciates this resource as a classroom teacher.

Gail Higginbottom gifted Rhonda and Karen with sweet grass.

BEAR-SALMON-MOSQUITO ACTIVITY

G. Higginbottom and D. Weager led the group in a “rock-paper-scissors” activityincorporating languages from each of the nations.

METIS

Shared by Maurice Trudel:

Don Courson, the new president, wants to get into the community and away from the table to make connections and form relationships.

There is a large demographic of Metis people here. Metis services across BC are being redesigned. In general, the Metis Nation is building momentum.

As a result of two recent court cases there has a been an influx of people wanting to join the Metis Nation. The criteria that must be met are:

1. self-identify2. find acceptance with the contemporary Metis community (the Metis Nation of BC)3. prove genealogy to a historic metis community

Touchstones is expanding the information on the Metis Nation with the input of Toni Appleby.

The Metis Nation is working towards self-governance. There are two different representing organizations, Metis Nation of BC and the BC Metis Federation.

The Metis Nation events are also open to all. We want to “grow the fire and get warmer”.

Gail Higginbottom gifted Maurice with tobacco.

PRESENTATION FROM SD8

G. Higginbottom provided a slideshow presentation on the Aboriginal EducationProgram in SD8

App A

Minutes – Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders Council Meeting School District 8 Kootenay Lake November 1, 2018 Page | 5

● Full table discussion about whether or not, as a pre-written script, theTerritory Acknowledgement Agreement may lose authenticity. Generalconsensus that the teachings and protocols for the Territory Acknowledgmentare essential. Everyone needs to understand the acknowledgement should beshared from the heart.

● Danica and Gail shared that a lesson plan would be developed to support theintroduction of the new Acknowledgement

● Laurie Wilson: the word ‘Unceded’ be added to “Traditional Territories”

ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT

D. Weager and G Higginbottom presented the Enhancement Agreement

Enhancement Agreement Feedback in small group discussions. App B

CLOSING – circle close with one word check out

NEXT MEETING

The next Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and Elders Council Meeting are scheduled for:

● February 14th, 2019 at 12:30pm PST to 3:00pm● April 5th, 2019 at the 12:30pm PST to 3:00pm

Out of area council members will be invited to participate for February and April meetings via a SD8 phone conference.

All meetings held at the Nelson School Board Office

10. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:20pm

Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders CouncilNovember 1, 2018

“Our children, our focus”Appendix A

Giving thanks…

We acknowledge, respect and honour the First Nations in whose traditional territories the School District operates and all Aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District #8.

“Stay Strong Together”Group Activity

Voices from the Nations

Aboriginal EducationSD8 at Glance

“We grew up in a small town…”

“Now the future has come and we can figure it out”.

Jesalyn is currently studying at Memorial University, where she is studying Law and Society!

Budget

Surplus Spending 2017-2018 - Correction2018 SURPLUS = 8,000, NOT $20,000 - This is great news!

Why? a delay in processing accounts from July to September, or visibility between District ABED and District accounts.

* Council Recommendations● ADDED:*Additional resources to schools● Added: *Employee recognition $● Added: *Role model posters

● Adding (in process): additional staffing in Nelson family of schools,Creston HL, PCSS - these schools need additional staffing for # ofstudents.

*these funds came from both additional student #’s from full ABED account andsurplus.

Equity Scan, 2018 forward DRAFT PLANFALL WINTER SPRING

2018-2019 ● Equity Scan intro● Access Student Learning Profile - to look at

individual students to build ‘wrap around’supports for this year

● Present intro to Equity Scan to Advisory

● Frame ES as alearning/reflection tool kit:Kahoot, short video, pause andreflect lesson.

● Survey: Senior Admin, Trustees,PVP, Advisory Council

● Survey: ABED team

2019-2020 ● Include link to Equity Scan inside 1701forms

● Nelson - profile Equity Scan as“Reconciliation Scan” with a film evening +brochure at Civic Theatre

● Introduce ES toolkit at ABED fall teammeeting

● Share data at fall ABED team meeting(invite Laury)

● Engage local nation partnersand community partners

● ABED team members present EAand equity scan tool kit atschool based staff meeting

● PVP presents tool kit at PAC

● Creston - profile Equity Scan as“Reconciliation Scan” with afilm evening + brochure atTheatre

2021-2022 ● Equity team meeting to map outinterventions

● Share data at fall ABED team meeting(invite Laury)

SD8 acknowledges and respects the Ktunaxa, the Sn7aycktx (Arrow Lakes) , the Syilx (Okanagan), and the Secwe ̓pemc

(Shuswap) peoples on whose Traditional Territories we are honoured to work upon. We give our thanks to these

Nations for maintaining the beauty and safety of the lands. We honour all Aboriginal peoples who reside within this

traditional territory and homeland.

Feedback?

KahootWhat is an Enhancement Agreement?

https://create.kahoot.it/

GO TO: kahoot.it

4 Goals of the EA

1. Enhance the Aboriginal student’s sense ofbelonging, pride, and identity

2. Improve the success of all Aboriginalstudents

3. Improve connections between Aboriginalstudents, families, communities andschools

4. Improve awareness of the history, culture,diversity, and issues related to Aboriginalstudents

Wishes from Elders and Youth

Moving forward…

● Consultations withcommunity –Slocan Valley,Salmo, Kaslo, Nelson,Creston

● Consultations andrelationship building withNation partners

● Youth consultations

● Community Servicesprovider consultation

Enhancement Agreement Renewal Process

● Assess where we are at

● Consolidate feedback

● Build and renew EnhancementAgreement

● Celebrate what we haveachieved

● Signing new EA 2019

Website: https://sd8learns.sd8.bc.ca/abed/

Enhancement Agreement Feedback

Small group discussions on each of the 4 goals:● How are we doing?● What could this look like?● What are your best hopes for this goal?

Examples:● How can we work towards this goal?● Is this still relevant?

Thank you!!!

We appreciate your time, energy, participation, and vision for Aboriginal

education!

Appendix B