Education Jurisdiction Ratification
The vote for Education Jurisdiction has passed with 96%.
Seabird Island Assumes Jurisdiction Over Education
Exciting times are ahead as Seabird Island takes control of education on our lands. We are developing and approving our own Education Law to exercise jurisdiction over schooling.
Our Chief and Council approved the draft Education Law on May 17, 2022. We then shared it with community members for feedback until July 21, 2022. The draft was posted on our website, Facebook, mailed out, and presented at the admin quarterly meeting.
Since no comments were received, the Education Law is now ready for formal adoption. On August 16, 2022, Chief and Council will give their final approval to officially enact our law.
This historic moment empowers Seabird Island to shape the curriculum, teaching methods, and educational priorities for our next generations. We will operate schools on our own terms, guided by our values, culture, and visions for the future.
Please contact Henrie De Boer at hdeboer@seabirdisland.ca or 604-796-6913 to learn more about this milestone achievement of education jurisdiction. The future is bright for our students and community.
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First Nation Jurisdiction Over Education Ratification and Pre-implementation Process
Ratification Process
The ratification process starts once the Seabird Island ‘s appointed negotiator accepts an offer from Canada. After that point, Canada will send funds to Seabird Island to support the ratification process.
Seabird Island Band members will vote on the Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement (Jurisdiction Agreement) and Education Law-Making Protocol.
Chief and Council are responsible for approving the Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement (Funding Agreement).
Seabird Island will inform Canada once it has successfully completed the ratification process. Then, Canada will take the final steps to ratify the agreements on their part.
Once Canada ratifies the Jurisdiction and Funding Agreements they will initiate budget transfers for governance funding and the parties will sign
the agreements.
Lastly, Canada will pass an Order in Council to recognize the First Nation as a Participating First Nation (PFN).
On the effective date, the PFN will begin exercising jurisdiction over education.
Overview of Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction recognizes Seabird Island’s law making authority over their education system from K4 -grade 12. This will allow the First Nation to pass laws regarding their education system that are in the best interest of their communities and members.
Scope of Jurisdiction
Seabird Island will be able to exercise jurisdiction in all areas of K4 -grade 12 education on their land in accordance with a Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement.
Some areas of authority will be jointly exercised with other participating First Nations through the First Nations Education Authority (FNEA).
These include:
• Teacher Certification
• School Certification
• Graduation Requirements Curriculum, and course approvals
Entering Into Jurisdiction
In order for Seabird Island to enter into jurisdiction, the community must first provide their approval by ratifying the Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement (Jurisdiction Agreement) and the First Nation’s Education Law-Making Protocol. After a First Nation completes the ratification process, it will assume control over its education system and begin to exercise its jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
A First Nation completes the ratification process by having the community approve the Jurisdiction Agreement and the Education Law-Making
Protocol through a community vote.
In order for ratification to be successful, [50% plus 1]of those who cast a vote must vote in favour of the agreement and the protocol.
No. The entire community has to be given the opportunity to vote, but [only 50% +1] of those who actually cast a ballot have to vote in favour for ratification to be successful.
In the event that ratification is unsuccessful, the First Nation will not be able to enter into jurisdiction. If that happens, the First Nation may attempt to ratify the agreement and the protocol again through another vote, or choose not to pursue jurisdiction.
