Education Jurisdiction Resources
FNESC provides support for First Nations interested in pursuing jurisdiction by sharing information and resources.
The Education Jurisdiction Toolkit is designed to support First Nations in learning about the BC First Nations Education Jurisdiction Initiative, how it works, and the various agreements and documents associated with it.
The Toolkit is a good starting place for First Nations that would like to learn more about the initiative.
Key Resources
1.1 First Nations Jurisdiction Over Education One-Pager
1.2 Jurisdiction Introduction and Overview PowerPoint. This PowerPoint provides an overview of the Jurisdiction Initiative.
1.3 Education Jurisdiction Initiative Terms of Reference (March 6, 2024). This Terms of Reference describes how First Nations engage in the Education Jurisdiction Initiative and the role that FNESC will play in supporting them.
1.4 Jurisdiction Funding from FNESC PowerPoint (Coming Soon)
1.5 Memo: Relinquishing “Independent school” designation under jurisdiction (May 14, 2024)
2.1 Education Jurisdiction Agreement PowerPoint
2.2 Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement (July, 21, 2023)
2.3 Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement PowerPoint
2.4 Model Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement (Schedule A to the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement)
a. Summary of C-FN Education Jurisdiction Agreement (Coming Soon)
2.5 Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement PowerPoint
2.6 Model Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement (Schedule B to the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement)
a. Summary of C-FN Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement (Coming Soon)
3.1 Termination Process for Funding Agreement Flowchart
3.2 Timing of Funding Flow Chart
3.3 Student Funding (SEP, RT, Other Students, etc.) Flow Chart (Coming Soon)
3.4 Funding FAQs and Answers (Coming Soon)
3.5 Template Fiscal Offer – Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement (2023/2024)
4.1 BC Jurisdiction Agreements Overview PPT (Coming Soon)
General
5.1.1 Implementation Timeline
5.1.2 First Nation’s Pathway to Effective Date (Coming Soon)
Ratification Process
5.2.1 Ratification PowerPoint (Coming Soon)
5.2.2 Ratification Completion Process (Coming Soon)
5.2.3 Sample Ratification Workplan
5.2.4 Template Ballot Question
5.2.5 Template Ratification Brochure
First Nation Education Law
5.3.1 Memo re: First Nation Education Law-Making Protocol Models
5.3.2 Model A (Council Vote) First Nation Law-making Protocol Draft pdf docx
5.3.3 Model B (Ratification Vote) First Nation Law-making Protocol Draft pdf docx
5.3.4 Model First Nations Education Law (Coming Soon)
Education Governance
5.4.1 Chart of Governance Approaches to Education Jurisdiction (September 8, 2021)
5.4.2 Two-Pager Approaches to Governance under Education Jurisdiction (August 13, 2021)
Glossary
An Accepted Offer First Nation (AOFN) is a First Nation that has received and accepted an offer from Canada respecting a Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement, but not yet ratified the agreement.
A Band Council Resolution (BCR) is the authority mechanism by which the elected representatives of a Band Council authorize an action.
The British Columbia Tripartite Education Agreement (BCTEA) is an agreement signed between FNESC, BC, and Canada and it sets the foundation for further growth and changes to support the growth of our BC First Nations education system. Go to the BCTEA page.
The BCTEA Funding Estimator Tool calculates First Nations Schools’ Funding Allocations that an individual First Nation would receive under BCTEA using individual enrolment data and factors that apply specifically to each school. See the BCTEA Funding Estimator Tool.
The BCTEA Funding Handbook explains Indigenous Services Canada’s BCTEA Funding Detail Budget Report Table that is sent to First Nations each year to calculate funding for First Nations schools in BC under BCTEA. Go to the BCTEA Funding Handbook.
A Committed First Nation (CFN) is a First Nation that has received a current offer or formally requested an offer from Canada respecting a Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement.
A Community Education Authority (CEA) is a legally constituted entity established by the Participating First Nation to operate its educational system.
Education (as defined in the Canada First Nation Jurisdiction Agreement and the BC-FNESC Agreement) is education programs and services of a nature generally provided to students enrolled in K-12.
An Education Co-Management Agreement is the agreement entered into between the Participating First Nation and the First Nation Education Authority.
The Effective Date is the date specified in the federal Order-in-Council upon which this Agreement comes into effect.
The First Nations Education Act (Provincial Enabling Legislation) is the legislation enacted by BC which, among other matters, recognizes PFN’s Jurisdiction over education as set out in Canada – First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreements.
The First Nation Education Authority (FNEA) is the legally constituted entity established by federal statute to support Participating First Nations implement jurisdiction over education.
A First Nation Education Law is a law passed by the Participating First Nation with respect to the operation of its Education system in accordance with an Education Jurisdiction Agreement.
A First Nation Education Law Making Protocol is a protocol adopted by the Participating First Nation in accordance with the Education Jurisdiction Agreement.
The First Nations Jurisdiction over Education in British Columbia Act (Federal Enabling Legislation) is the legislation enacted by Canada providing a process for bringing the Education Jurisdiction Agreement into legal force and effect.
The First Nations School Assessment and Certification Process is the process as set out in the Handbook prepared by FNESC and FNSA, which may be amended from time to time. This process has been adopted by First Nations Education Authority as the process by which Participating First Nation Schools will be certified.
The FNEA Teaching Certificate (FTC) is the teaching certificate issued by the FCD Committee on behalf of FNEA and includes an interim certificate.
A FNEA Graduation Certificate is a graduation certificate issued by the First Nations Education Authority.
An Interested First Nation (IFN) is a First Nation whose Band Council has passed a Band Council resolution or provided a letter on the First Nation’s letterhead indicating their interest in exercising jurisdiction over education.
Involved First Nations refers to Committed First Nations, Accepted Offer First Nations, and Ratified First Nations. The representatives of this group attend Involved First Nations meetings and are responsible for the Education Jurisdiction Initiative Terms of Reference.
A Model Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement (Education Jurisdiction Agreement) is a sectoral self government agreement regarding education entered into between the Participating First Nation and Canada. This model agreement is a schedule to the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement.
A Model Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement (Education Jurisdiction Funding Agreement) is a funding agreement entered into between the Participating First Nation and Canada. This model agreement is a schedule to the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement.
A Participating First Nation (PFN) is a First Nation whose individual Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement has come into force.
A Participating First Nations School (PFN School) is a school operated by or on behalf of the Participating First Nation on First Nation land, including an online school, alternate education centre, adult education centre, or early childhood learning centre offering an Education program.
A PFN Graduation Certificate is a graduation certificate issued by a PFN in accordance with PFN Graduation Requirements.
A Ratified First Nation (RFN) is a First Nation that has successfully ratified a Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement and law-making protocol.
Reciprocal Tuition Arrangement – Under the Reciprocal Tuition arrangement, Participating First Nations (PFNs) are obligated to pay public school boards for students from PFNs who are enrolled in public schools. In turn, the province of BC is obligated to pay Community Education Authorities (CEAs) for students who live off reserve or on leased lands off reserve, and are enrolled in an educational program from the CEA, as long as the student qualifies for provincial education funding. Tuition rates will be determined by the provincial per student rates in the applicable region or school district.
The Teacher Certification Process is the process and requirements set out and used by the First Nations Education Authority to certify that a teacher has met the standards and competencies established by the First Nations Education Authority.
Acronyms
AFN Assembly of First Nations
AOFN Accepted Offer First Nation
BCTC BC Teachers’ Council
BCTEA BC Tripartite Education Agreement
BCTF BC Teachers’ Federation
BCR Band Council Resolution
CEA Community Education Authority
CIRNA Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
CFN Committed First Nation
CFN Committed First Nation
ECC BC Ministry of Education and Child Care
EFN Engaged First Nation
FNEA First Nations Education Authority
FNESC First Nations Education Steering Committee
FNS First Nations Summit
FNSA First Nations Schools Association
FTC FNEA Teaching Certificate
IFN Interested First Nation
IFN Interested First Nation
ISC Indigenous Services Canada
PFN Participating First Nation
RFN Ratified First Nation
TRB Teacher Regulation Branch
UBCIC Union of BC Indian Chiefs
