MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL,
DENIS GROS-LOUIS
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NEWS FROM THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
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Second meeting of the FNEC Regional Education Agreement Executive Committee
On November 29, 2024, the second meeting of the FNEC Regional Education Agreement (REA) executive committee was held at the Indigenous Services Canada offices in Ottawa.
At this meeting, representatives of the FNEC REA discussed: adult education, the Education Partnerships Program – Regional Education Agreements component, performance indicators BY and FOR REA First Nations, students from First Nations schools who do not usually reside in the community, funding for REA school operations and maintenance, and Canada’s National School Food Program.
The REA provides for the holding of an executive committee to deal with any issues related to the REA. The next meeting of the executive committee will take place on April 24th.
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The FNEC Appears before the Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media
On January 31, 2025, the FNEC participated in the consultations of the Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development. In response to concerns raised in the August 2024 consultation paper, the FNEC highlighted the import role that digital media plays in reducing educational isolation and promoting pedagogical practices that are adapted to the realities of First Nations. Emphasis was placed on connectivity, as well as on the key to ensuring supervised use of screens, rather than limiting their use. Furthermore, using digital media as support tools, rather than as a means of teaching was explored.
The FNEC’s participation in the consultations was an opportunity to enforce our commitment to the question on hand, as evidenced by several of the initiatives presented, such as the deployment of fibre optic networks in Manawan, the Voices from the Land portal, and the podcast created by students from Lac-Simon. The FNEC reiterated that rigorous supervision is necessary to ensure that their use does not harm the linguistic and cultural heritage of First Nations. The FNEC also denounced the lack of integration of their realities in the Commission’s reflections and findings, while calling for the adoption of a holistic approach to ensure that public policies on digital education take fully into account the perspectives of First Nations communities.
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Participation in the AFN’s National Forum on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
On February 4th and 5th, the FNEC participated in the National Forum on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). Hosted by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the forum included plenary sessions and discussions on the implementation of the UNDA National Action Plan for 2023-2028. The FNEC was able to exchange with other First Nations education organizations, as well as with Government of Canada officials, regarding the action plan’s steps affecting elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. A new meeting with Action Plan officials from the Government of Canada is expectedto take place shortly.
On February 6th, the FNEC actively took part in the AFN’s education technical committee session. Technical committee members were able to exchange and offer recommendations regarding the revision of the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) elementary and secondary education program, an AFN study on adult education and the evaluation of ISC programs. Finally, committee members participated in a research preparation and strategic planning session. A next meeting of the technical committee is scheduled to take place on March 25, 2025.
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NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
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House of Knowledge
On February 13, the First Nations Education Council enthusiastically announced that they had signed an agreement with all universities in the province to move the House of Knowledge project forward. This historic moment represents a milestone toward the creation of the first university for First Peoples in Quebec, and the initial step in drafting the business plan expected to be submitted in January 2027.
FNEC is proud of this accomplishment and is even more determined to make this social project a reality.
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Partners circle
Have you heard of the House of Knowledge?
It's a project for a higher education institution by and for First People! The project team is currently looking for First Nations and Inuit people who want to get involved, through consultations and meetings, in setting up the first university for First Peoples in Quebec!
If you have experience or ideas to share with us, we want to hear from you!
Please feel free to send us your name and contact details to the following
e-mail address: ggingras@cepn-fnec.com .
We'll be happy to contact you personally to invite you
to join our Partners' Circle!
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NEWS FROM EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
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17th FNEC Inter-School Games: Celebrating
Our Ongoing Legacy!
The 17th edition of the FNEC Inter-School Games will take place from May 22 to 25, 2025, featuring a tried-and-true formula that has already proven successful and delighted both athletes and chaperones. On the program: all the usual sports, the popular Nations Banquet, the New Pathways Chill Zone, and of course, a variety of delicious food truck meals. A brand-new addition this year: open-air movie nights! Let’s not forget our new 2025 medal, celebrating the perseverance and pride of our communities. You can also look forward to an even entertainment night and a record turnout!
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NEWS FROM THE FINANCIAL SERVICES
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Great progress for the infrastructure project!
Finance and Infrastructure Services has made considerable progress in recent months as part of its project to analyze the costs associated with school infrastructure needs, in collaboration with the firm MNP. After visiting the sixteen communities with schools between November and January, we held virtual meetings with the six communities without schools during the month of January.
In addition, to support our analysis with concrete data on construction costs in First Nations communities, we organized discussions with tribal councils, architectural firms and general contractors who have carried out numerous projects in FNEC member communities.
We have also begun working with the architectural firm Tawaw Architecture Collective, which specializes in designing buildings that reflect First Nations culture and traditions to develop potential school infrastructure models for our member communities.
Finally, the MNP team presented on project progress to the school principals, directors of finance and directors of education present at the information session on the financial aspect of the REA, held on February 25th and 26th at Manoir St-Sauveur.
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NEWS FROM TECHNOLOGICAL SERVICES
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The positive impacts of the FMCC!
As an advocate and expert in the domain of telecommunications, the FNEC continues to participate, along with other First Nation organizations across Canada, in policy and program consultations that impact First Nations access to broadband services. As a founding member of the FirstMile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) in 2012, the FNEC has to date, participated in 16 Interventions at the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and 9 wireless Spectrum policy proceedings with the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED).
The result of these interventions is making a positive impact on telecommunication policy and programs that address local realities, such as the recent decision by CRTC to add training resources to their Broadband fund. Communities are encouraged to visit any one of the sites below to learn more about the FMCC and relevant proceedings at the CRTC and ISED.
The FNEC is pleased to report that the FMCC has received recognition as an expert group in telecommunication by AFN resolution (December 2024) which aims to support all First Nations across Canada to engage in policy development in the domain of telecommunication services. For more information, please contact the FNEC Technology sector.
For more information :
FMCC: www.fmcc.ca,
CRTC: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2024/2024-328.htm
ISED: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en
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We are pleased to confirm that the FNEC Inter-school Games are back in 2025! The Games will take place from May 22nd to 25th, 2025 at the
Université Laval, Quebec City.
For more details, visit the Games website: inter-schoolgames.com
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