Themes for Discussion

Improving education for First Nation students is important. That's why the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations have asked a National Panel to lead an engagement process on the development of options, including legislation, that will improve elementary and secondary education for children who live on reserve. The National Panel is seeking your views on ways to enhance and strengthen First Nation education.

The themes below will be used to guide discussions in roundtable sessions and those participating in the online engagement.

1. The form of federal legislation that would help make quality education more accessible to First Nation students and their families

Areas considered important to explore:

• legislation that enables and builds on provincial and regional efforts that can improve First Nation education
• legislation that enables each First Nation to make its own laws regarding education
• legislation that gives each First Nation the authority to make its own education legislation
• other suggestions

2. Requirements that should be in First Nation legislation to achieve effective management and delivery

Areas considered important to explore:

• governance and accountability requirements
• a First Nation delivery model where a regional education authority is responsible for the management of reserve schools
• other suggestions

3. The most important features to include in First Nation education legislation so that First Nation students would have access to quality education

Areas considered important to explore:

• roles and responsibilities of partners, including parents, in how education will be managed and delivered
• predictable financing of education
• curriculum and program development and delivery
• student and school evaluations
• teacher and staff hiring, accreditation and evaluation
• school environment regulations and standards
• other suggestions

4. Specific features of legislation that could best address the unique needs of First Nation students

Areas considered important to explore:

• how language and culture will be addressed
• how First Nation control will be maintained
• other features

5. Tools other than legislation that would help to ensure that First Nation students have access to quality education

Areas considered important to explore:

• strengthened financial arrangements
• strengthened partnership arrangements
• school- or student-focused programming
• other suggestions

6. As a parent, areas that would make the most significant difference in the success of your child's education

Areas considered important to explore:

• standards for literacy, numeracy, and attendance
• better teachers
• focus on language and culture
• opportunity for more parental involvement in school
• other suggestions`