The First Nations Education Steering Committee is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia.
Since its establishment in 1992, FNESC has advocated on education matters that affect First Nations learners in BC, regardless of where they live or attend school.
FNESC has a mandate to support First Nations students and advance First Nations education. To further its mandate, FNESC provides services to support First Nations in building their capacity in education. FNESC also engages with government on policy and legislative issues, facilitates communication, collaborates with education partners, and responds to emerging education issues.
FNESC works closely with the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) and Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA), to provide a strong, united and effective voice for First Nations education.
FNESC has approximately 130 board members who meet quarterly to guide FNESC’s work. First Nations can appoint a Director to the FNESC Board through a Band Council Resolution.
FNESC seeks direction from First Nations leadership on all significant issues affecting First Nations education and it has a formal protocol with the First Nations Leadership Council.
Protocol with First Nations Leadership Council
FNESC has a formal protocol with the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), signed in 2015, that recognizes FNESC as the lead policy and advocacy body, as directed by First Nations governments, working to advance quality education, improved accountability, and improved education outcomes for all First Nation students in BC.
FNESC meets regularly with the FNLC to seek support and direction. FNESC also reports to and seeks direction from organizations that comprise the FNLC: First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and BC Assembly of First Nations.
FNESC is dedicated to increasing the success of First Nations learners in British Columbia. We do this by providing services to build capacity in First Nations communities, advocating on behalf of First Nations learners, facilitating communications, and responding to emerging issues with respect to First Nations education. We believe that education for First Nations learners must be premised upon First Nations’ ways of knowing. FNESC is committed to the value of First Nations leadership, the value of all members of First Nations communities, and success in achieving our mission.
Foundations of Our System
Our Role
FNESC supports First Nations collectively, through policy and legislative development with government and by implementing programs and services that benefit all First Nations and First Nation schools.
FNESC does not advocate in support of the financial or personal interests of individual First Nations, specific groups, or individuals. FNESC is not able to provide funding for individual students or staff. FNESC also respects and supports the inherent authority and decision-making of First Nations and cannot get involved in education or governance matters internal to First Nations.
