New First Nations school system officially opened in Manitoba

The goal is to offer a curriculum that recognizes and incorporates the identities of First Nations children, like their languages, histories and cultures. (Pixabay photo)

SCANTERBURY, Man. –About 1,700 students from 10 First Nations are part of the new Manitoba First Nations School System.

It was officially opened Wednesday on the Brokenhead First Nation.

The goal is to offer a curriculum that recognizes and incorporates the identities of First Nations children, like their languages, histories and cultures.

Executive director Lorne Keeper says he’s optimistic it will change the face of First Nations education.

The schools involved are receiving more funding from the federal government than before.

Director of system development Nora Murdock said First Nations schools used to get roughly $8,000 per student, and now, it’s around $18,000.

“Out of that funding, we were able to provide many more resources for the teachers to be able to teach the curriculum, to be able to be innovative in what they teach,” said Murdock.

Teachers’ salaries are also increasing, and will be more on par with provincial salaries. Murdock said this will help to retain and attract teachers.

“Stability in teaching staff goes a long way in improving academic achievement and positive outcomes for our students,” Murdock added.

Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott said one of the federal government’s responsibilities on First Nations is education.

“What this allows is to be able to put those resources together to be able to provide the appropriate additional resources for the administration of a school system,” said Philpott.

Tanya Kent is a Grade 8 student at Sergeant Tommy Prince School in Brokenhead First Nation.

“We were kind of dusted under the rug for so long, and it’s like, we’re finally getting out there,” said Tanya.

Her school is now opening its own library and getting textbooks, laptops and iPads.

“Students were really behind in reading and math because we didn’t have the textbooks, and just overall books to help,” she said. “And now, I can see even my little brother really advancing in that, and it’s really awesome.”

The Manitoba First Nations School System is the result of the Education Governance Agreement, reached last December as part of the federal government’s commitment to reconciliation.