In a momentous ceremony held on the grounds of the Capilano Reserve, three First Nations — the Squamish Nation, the Canim Lake Band, and the Ditidaht First Nation — gleefully marked a new era of autonomy. This came into force through agreements with both provincial and federal governments, thus shifting the control of on-reserve education squarely into indigenous hands.
Cementing their authority over aspects such as teacher certification, curriculum formation, and graduation prerequisites, this milestone event brimmed with the harmonious sound of children’s singing and drumming as a tribute to the present dignitaries.
Squamish Councillor Wilson Williams found the occasion emotionally stirring yet incredibly invigorating. As the offspring of residential school survivors, he recognizes the profound significance of reclaiming control over education. For him, it’s not merely about acquiring knowledge but also about re-establishing the connection with their language, cultural heritage, and traditional rituals.
Williams recalls the oppressive history where the true identity of indigenous people was forcibly stripped away, depriving them of their rights to celebrate their own languages, traditions or ceremonies.
Further echoing the sentiments of progress, the Cowichan Tribes, Lil’wat Nation, Seabird Island, and St. Mary’s Indian Band made similar advances the previous year. Collaborating closely with the First Nations Education Authority (FNEA), all seven First Nations are now better equipped to deliver education on the reserve.
Yvonne Wallace, the Vice President of the FNEA, perceives this as disrupting conventional archetypes within education. She asserts, “we are here; we continue to thrive, and we certainly aren’t going anywhere.”
As B.C.’s Education Minister Rachna Singh observed, these transformative discussions around school jurisdiction have unfolded over the last two decades. Singh heralds the event as a historic milestone, fervently hoping for the participation of more First Nations communities in similar agreements in the future.
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