Vancouver Island First Nation votes to reclaim education rights
Cowichan Tribes are calling it a historic vote, 15 years in the making.
That vote was to accept the education jurisdiction agreement and law-making protocol with the Government of Canada, which gives the Cowichan Tribes the right to return education authority to its own nation.
Kindergarten and Grade One students at Quw’utsun Smuneem Elementary School on Cowichan Tribes land in Duncan, B.C. were learning to speak in the their native language on Tuesday.
This is just the beginning. Next month, Cowichan Tribes will begin work to reshape the education system on its reserve.
"Under this agreement, we will create our own education law," said Stephanie Atleo, Cowichan Tribes education jurisdiction negotiator.
"We will take over full governance of education on reserve, in our schools."
The new agreement gives the First Nation the power to certify its own teachers, determine graduation certification, and create its own curriculum.
Now the real work begins.
"I don’t think it will be easy but we’re not going to start at zero," said Atleo. "We’re going to continue with what we’re doing in the schools right now and build on that."
Atleo says much of the curriculum will stay the same. Children will still learn math, language arts and the skills needed to turn its young students into successful adults.
"I think I’ll be working with a lot of culture, with the freedom of teaching more culture," said Marlene Tommy, a teacher at Quw’utsun Smuneem.
Tommy is a Kindergarten and Grade One teacher. She says students can expect a more robust cultural education that includes the teaching of the Cowichan Tribes native language.
She hopes it will give students a better understanding of their history.
"I’m (hoping it will inspire) confidence because that’s what the hul’q’umi’num language gave to me, a lot of pride and confidence in knowing who I was," said Tommy.
There will also be a bigger emphasis on hands-on, outdoor teaching.
"So they’re actually seeing the areas within Cowichan that means something to them, but also it's teaching them the history of the area that they’re living in and where they come from," said Atleo.
At the end of this month, the federal government will be signing the education jurisdiction agreement with the Cowichan Tribes. Then work will begin right away to design that new curriculum.
That is expected to be implemented by the start of next school year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.