Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver, BC – The First Nations Leadership Council is viewing today’s signing of the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement and the British Columbia First Nations Education Agreement as critical steps in providing better opportunities for success by First Nations learners. The agreements, which provide First Nations authority and jurisdiction over decisions affecting First Nations learners in BC, were co-signed this morning by the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) at a ceremony conducted at Xweme’lch’stn School in North Vancouver.
“Today has been long in coming. We congratulate and commend all of the parties involved who have worked hard for many years to see these agreements become a reality”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive and the BC First Nations Leadership Council.