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Overview

In 2024, FNESC (First Nations Education Steering Committee) and MoECC (Ministry of Education and Child Care) co-developed legislative amendments to the School Act, a Ministerial Order, and an IEC Policy to support effective implementation of Indigenous Education Councils across school districts in BC. This was intended to “reset” existing IECs (Indigenous Education Councils) and ensure that every school district has a formal structure to support boards on matters affecting Indigenous students attending BC public schools.

Background

The Province of British Columbia passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) into law in November 2019 to, among other things, affirm the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) to the laws of British Columbia. The Declaration Act Action Plan, established under section 4 of the Declaration Act, includes collectively identified goals and outcomes for implementing, and meeting the objectives of, the UN Declaration in B.C., and includes a specific commitment related to IECs at action 4.3.

 

A Distinctions-Based Approach was used in the creation of the new legislation and policy:

School District 8 had previously hosted the Aboriginal Education Committee (ACE) for consultation and collaboration. This discontinued with the implementation of Bill 40 in 2024 in anticipation of the new IEC reset.

 

Purpose of the IEC

  • Advocate for all Indigenous students through advice on programs, services, and achievement

  • Advise on the integration of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives, particularly local First Nations

  • Local First Nations members advise on their distinct languages, cultures, customs, traditions, practices or histories

  • Advise on grants provided in relation to Indigenous students

  • School districts require IEC approval of Indigenous Education Targeted Funding

  • IECs are not committees of boards of education

  • Board trustees and employees cannot be voting members of the IEC

 

Setting up an IEC

Districts are required to follow the legislated process for setting up an IEC. The process for setting up an IEC is as follows:

  1. The district must invite each First Nation in whose traditional territory the board operates to delegate 2 representatives.

  2. After seeking advice from each local First Nation, a board may appoint additional persons who bring perspectives relevant to the Indigenous student population of that district.

IEC Rules set out by the Ministerial Order

The protocols, laws, customs, and traditions of local First Nations must be respected.

The IEC must

  • be guided by the need to support strong and effective relationships between the board and local First Nations;

  • acknowledge its work is undertaken in the local First Nations’ territory and have deference to the views and perspectives of members representing local First Nations;

  • consider the distinctions and diversity of the Indigenous student population in advising the board.

 

Consultation Requirements

 

School districts are required to consult with the IEC consistent with the following:

Consultation- Local First Nations Only

  • How to reflect or integrate the distinct languages, cultures, customs, protocols, traditions, practices, or history of local First Nations into the learning environments, and staff training offered by the board

  • How to integrate the worldviews and perspectives of local First Nations into the learning environment

Consultation- Whole IEC

  • Procedures to recruit and hire staff that have a significant role in delivering Indigenous programs and services, or involve significant interaction with Indigenous students

  • Activities or resources related to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

  • Professional development for school district staff relating to cultural competencies, and non-instructional time focused on enhancing Indigenous student achievement or Indigenous world views

  • Reporting for the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning

  • Reporting required by the MoECC on IECs

  • Specific grants identified under the School Act 

  • Board policies that have a significant impact on Indigenous students

 

Approval of Targeted Funding

  • IECs must approve planning, spending, and reporting of Indigenous Education Targeted Funding

  • Approval is intended to provide IECs with the opportunity to be involved in decisions related to the funding of programs and supports provided for Indigenous students

  • How an IEC provides input, advice, and approval will be decided by the IEC

IECs are granted additional funds to cover administration of the IEC- IEC Capacity Funds.

 

School District 8 looks forward to continuing to work closely with the IEC to support the integration of Indigenous culture, language, traditions, and history into schools as we work together to support all Indigenous students.