By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Maskwacis Cree sign education agreement with Government of Canada

May 18, 2018 | 3:27 PM

Four Maskwacîs Cree chiefs signed a landmark education agreement on Friday.

The accord between the Maskwacîs Cree Nations and the Government of Canada marks the official transition to true local control of education to Cree Nation students in Maskwacîs.

Specifically, it ensures all 11 schools in Maskwacîs, which serve more than 2300 youth, are under the full administrative control of the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC).

“This is an historic moment,” said Brian Wildcat, Superintendent of MESC schools. “Through this Agreement, Maskwacîs Cree Nations have exercised their Treaty right to education by delegating education responsibility to MESC to provide a quality and culturally relevant education for Maskwacîs children.”

Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott was on hand for the signing alongside Ermineskine Cree Nation Chief Craig Makinaw, Louis Bull Tribe Chief Irvin Bull, Montana First Nation Chief Leonard Standingontheroad and Samson Cree Nation Chief Vernon Saddleback.

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Philpott congratulated the community for its tremendous efforts leading up to the agreement.

“It is with great pride that I could be a part of this historic ceremony to highlight the Maskwacîs education authority in Treaty 6 territory,” she said. “Your vision will help promote Cree culture and will benefit students as well as the entire community.”

Negotiations around the deal centred around the need for better integration of Cree language and traditions, and a more unified school system with guaranteed long-term funding for all Maskwacîs schools.

“We are now better able to develop course curriculum that reflects the unique needs, traditions and values of our communities in Maskwacîs,” concluded MESC Board of Governors Chair Nina Makinaw. “We have the funding and community support to ensure no child will be left behind.”

Friday’s events included a pipe ceremony and a Grand Entry led by powwow singers and dancers from local schools.