School District No. 57 (SD57) and Takla Nation have signed a five-year Local Education Agreement (LEA) to help better support the needs of Takla students within the district.
Takla Nation and SD57 have been in negotiations for two years. Representatives from Takla and SD57 staff met multiple times to develop the LEA outlining the commitments and shared responsibility for First Nation student success, which includes academics, culture, language, emotional and physical learning.
“This is a joyous occasion,” said Board of Education Vice Chair Shuirose Valimohamed, when the board unanimously passed the LEA at its March 16 public meeting.
“The signing of the LEA with SD57 is something that has never been done before for our Nation. We have worked with the District for a few years in negotiation to make this agreement a possibility. It will give us a better understanding of what our Nation needs from the School District to support all our students, particularly those that are coming out of the reserve to attend schools in Prince George,” said Takla’s Education Councilor William Korolyk.
“The agreement will provide opportunities for the Nation to work together with the District on different areas of First Nations student success.”
Takla’s Education Coordinator Holly West said the LEA with SD57 is an important procedure to enhance the accountability to achieve a strong working relationship between the Nation and the school board.
“Takla Nation worked hard to get this in place to better support the needs of our students that are living on reserve and attending public schools off-reserve. This agreement will help break down any barriers that may arise, have more opportunities for our students to receive an appropriate education and bring a brighter future for our students.”
On July 1, 2018, the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada and the First Nations Education Steering Committee entered into the BC Tripartite Education Agreement (“BCTEA”), agreeing to work together to make systemic shifts to support successful educational outcomes of all First Nation Students, regardless of where they live or are enrolled in school in British Columbia.
This is achieved through the provision of high quality and culturally relevant elementary and secondary educational programs and services, and supported by funding that is responsive to the unique needs of First Nation Students, First Nation schools and communities.
The agreement between Takla Nation and SD57 is the third LEA for School District No. 57.
In 2017, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band signed agreements with the School District. New agreements will need to be re-negotiated in the upcoming school year.
