Action complete
Highlights
While Action 4.03 is complete, the Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) is continuing to support school districts with Indigenous Education Council (IEC) implementation to ensure Indigenous Peoples have a voice in decisions and funding that impact Indigenous students. The intent of IECs is to represent all Indigenous students while also acknowledging the First Nations on whose territory the board operates. Each school district is unique, and ECC staff continue to meet with districts individually to understand their challenges and provide situation specific advice. This work is complex and must happen locally and in community, and ECC supports school districts at the provincial level to ensure that all Indigenous students, including non-local First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are advocated for.
ECC provided IEC capacity funding in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 to each school district as a targeted grant to cover costs associated with establishing and maintaining IECs, including secretariat support, activities and costs related to IECs carrying out their purposes.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
The passing of Bill 40, the School Amendment Act, 2023 (School Act), on November 8, 2023, introduces a provincial standard for Indigenous Education Councils to ensure that boards of education meaningfully engage with First Nations, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous communities, and that Indigenous Peoples have input into decisions affecting Indigenous students. These changes will support better education outcomes and attendance for First Nations and other Indigenous students attending provincial public schools, and more effective relationships between boards of education and First Nations.
Boards of education are in the process of establishing and maintaining Indigenous Education Councils. Indigenous Education Councils advise the board; advise on grants provided under the School Act in relation to Indigenous students; and approve plans, spending and reporting of targeted grants related to Indigenous students.
How are we working together?
The Ministry of Education and Child Care has consulted with First Nations and Modern Treaty Nations on Indigenous Education Councils, engaged with Métis Nation BC, and co-developed work with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). The Indigenous Education Council Ministerial Order, policy, and template terms of reference, which were co-developed with FNESC, have been finalized and are being implemented.
Are there challenges?
No challenges identified.
Highlights
The passing of Bill 40, the School Amendment Act, on November 8, 2023, introduces a provincial requirement for Indigenous Education Councils in every school district to advise boards on improving achievement of Indigenous students, provide advice on, and approve the board’s spending plans and reports in relation to Indigenous Education Targeted Funds. These changes will support better education outcomes and attendance for First Nation and other Indigenous students attending provincial public schools, and more effective relationships between boards of education and First Nations.
Co-development of terms of reference to be set out in a Ministerial Order and an Indigenous education council policy is underway with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). The Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) is also consulting with Modern Treaty Nations and engaging with Métis Nation BC (MNBC).
How are we working together?
ECC and FNESC have had meetings approximately monthly, or more often, since May 2022 to develop the Indigenous education council policy. ECC has also been meeting with First Nations rightsholders on the proposed policy since February 2023. Engagement on the policy with MNBC is also underway.
Are there challenges?
Organizational capacity and competing priorities for all parties impact the ability to meet projected timelines.
Highlights
The Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) has engaged collaboratively with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) over the Fall and Winter of 22/23 to develop policy for setting standards of Indigenous Education Councils. ECC and FNESC have a broad policy direction, and consultation with First Nations, Treaty First Nations and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) has begun.
Indicators
- Strategic engagement underway: Legislation and Policy Working Group formed with FNESC and initial policy development discussions underway.
How are we working together?
ECC and FNESC have had meetings approximately monthly, or more often, since May 2022 to develop the Indigenous Education Council policy. ECC has been meeting with First Nation rights holders on the proposed policy since February 2023. Initial consultation has begun with MNBC.
Next steps are continuing work on co-development of policy and planning for potential legislative changes.
Are there challenges?
Timelines for implementation, legislative changes and ensuring that First Nations and boards of education are appropriately informed of any new policies.