First Nations Control of First Nations Education
First Nations first published the concept of “Indian Control of Indian Education” in 1972. In 2010 the Chiefs in Assembly endorsed the updated and adapted document First Nations Control of First Nations Education as an AFN policy document.
At the 2016 AFN Annual General Assembly Resolution 16/2016 mandated the AFN to enter into an honourable process to develop recommendations to support First Nations Education Reform. Following this mandate, First Nations – Government of Canada Terms of Reference for Joint Collaboration was created and adopted in November 2016.
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First Nation Directors of Education Forum 2019
February 13-14, 2019 – Halifax, Nova Scotia
The First Nations Directors of Education National Forum is an event that brings together over 800 First Nations directors of education, educators, administrator government officials, leaders, and those actively engaged in the First Nations educational cross Canada. The Forum provides a unique opportunity for participants to gather to share perspectives, to engage in critical dialogue, and to network with each other to build positive and constructive relationships.
JOINT TASK TEAMS
To provide specialist advice regarding various aspects of regional First Nations education, five joint national Task Teams were established, including: Funding Mechanisms, Statutory Funding Framework, Early Childhood Education, Post-Secondary Education, Measurement and Mutual Accountability.
Each Task Team is incorporating regional First Nations frames of reference in all discussion in order that all developments are steeped in and build on existing regional systems that honour the diversity and autonomy of First Nations across Canada.
The Joint Task Teams focus on the following areas and are mandated by Operational Terms:
- Funding Mechanisms
- Education Infrastructure Operational Terms
- Briefing Note to the Chiefs Committee on Education and National Indian Education Council for Information
- Statutory Funding
- Early Childhood Education
- The Unique Needs of Northern and Remote Communities
- Remoteness Indicators and First Nation Education Funding Report
- Post-Secondary Education
- Budget 2017 announced an additional $90 Million over two years, and that: “The Government will also undertake a comprehensive and collaborative review with Indigenous partners of all federal programs that support Indigenous students who wish to pursue post-secondary education.”
- In July 2017 the Chiefs in Assembly passed Resolution 14/2017 directing the Chiefs Committee on Education to lead the first Nations portion of the federal post-secondary review.
- In November 2017 the work of the Post-Secondary Education Task Team moved to the First Nations Post-Secondary Education Federal Review.
Recommendations
The Joint Task Teams meet regularly to develop recommendations for education reform. From there recommendations are moved through the joint process for collaboration.
Joint Process for Collaboration

Memorandum to Cabinet
Budget 2016 and the Joint Collaborative Process are a unique opportunity to transform the way that First Nations education is funded.
For more information please review:
Memorandum to Cabinet Presentation
Transforming First Nations Education Policy Proposal
AFN Bulletin on Regional Education Agreements for First Nations Education K-12, September 2018
Education Staff
Janice Ciavaglia
Director
Veronica Wemigwans
Executive Assistant
Sophia Soumah
Administrative Assistant
Renee St. Germain
Senior Policy Analyst
Randy Schmucker
Jr. Policy Analyst
Katie Stanley
Jr. Policy Analyst
Julie Williams
Senior R&P Analyst
Jarrett Laughlin
Special Advisor
Germaine Rump
Jr. Policy Analyst
Dakota Edwards
Policy Analyst
Bram Lerat
Policy Analyst