By rdnewsNOW staff

Maskwacîs and Province sign education agreement

Jun 21, 2018 | 7:53 AM

Maskwacîs Cree Chiefs hosted a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the signing of a provincial education framework agreement between the four Maskwacîs Cree Nations and the Government of Alberta, ensuring new enhanced education funding from the province.

Effective immediately, the Agreement outlines how the Provincial Government will support the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) as they develop a robust Cree-based curriculum that integrates language, culture and land-based learning while improving student outcomes such as literacy and numeracy at all levels.

It also identifies how the province can supplement any funding, expertise, training and other supports to strengthen the new Maskwacîs Cree school system—and how, in turn, MESC will share their curriculum learnings—including First Nations history, residential school history, Treaty rights and land-based programs—with Alberta Education.

Education Minister David Eggen issued the following statement the agreement:

“Today, I was pleased to participate in a formal signing ceremony with the four Maskwacîs Cree Nations to mark the finalization of the Maskwacîs Cree – Government of Alberta Framework Agreement.

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“The agreement outlines the role the Government of Alberta will have in supporting the Maskwacîs  Cree Nations – through their education authority, Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) – as they develop a Cree-based curriculum for Maskwacîs students at all levels. Our government will provide supports such as additional funding, resources and training to improve student outcomes, like literacy and numeracy.

“Beginning in September, Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission will further integrate Indigenous knowledge and philosophy to its curriculum to preserve and revitalize Maskwacîs Cree language, culture, traditions and history.

“Our government is committed to working with Indigenous communities to enhance the educational outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, MESC will oversee all 11 schools in Maskwacîs across the four Nations, serving more than 2,300 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

In addition to infusing Cree language and culture, MESC is currently developing new curriculum to teach Maskwacîs students about Treaty rights, Maskwacîs history and residential school history.

Land-based learning will also become an important part of the curriculum.

Maskwacîs is comprised of four Maskwacîs Cree First Nation communities located in central Alberta: Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation and Samson Cree Nation.

On May 18, 2018, the four Maskwacîs Cree Chiefs signed a federal education agreement to allow for full educational authority to be transferred to Maskwacîs.

(Gary McKinnon – The Government of Alberta)