WINNIPEG -- The federal government says a new agreement will give Manitoba First Nations more control over schools and lead to increased funding for programs to improve the education of students.
Nine First Nations are part of the agreement signed Friday by Carolyn Bennett, minister of indigenous and northern affairs.
The deal calls for the newly created Manitoba First Nations School Board to receive similar funding as non-indigenous school boards, with a focus on language, cultural and academic programs.
The system will administer and manage elementary and secondary education programs and services starting in the 2017-2018 school year.
The hope is the new system will improve the quality and relevance of education, academic standards, student outcomes and graduation rates.
Bennett says the agreement is the first of its kind in Canada and the system is open to more First Nations joining in the future.
"First Nations control over First Nation education is critical to support indigenous pedagogy and learning environments that foster the secure personal cultural identity of its students," she said Friday in a release.
The nine participating First Nations include Bloodvein, Brokenhead Ojibway, Dakota Plains Wahpeton, Fox Lake Cree, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway, Lake Manitoba, Pinaymootang, Roseau River Anishinabe and Sagkeeng.
Lorne Keeper, executive director of Manitoba's First Nations Education Resource Centre, said the increased control and funding will help provide culturally relevant and high quality academic programming to students.
