Welcome to the Chiefs of Ontario Education Portal
This portal will help bring together all the First Nations educators of Ontario for networking, professional development and problem solving. It will help create and sustain an online platform where thought leadership around First Nations Education can thrive. The portal will aim to be a go-to place for everything concerning First Nations education in Ontario.
Postsecondary Education
At the All Ontario Chiefs Conference held in 2018, the Chiefs in Assembly passed resolution 16/18 calling for a post-secondary education review for the Ontario region. This has resulted in the development of a policy proposal including a funding request and other steps to address the necessary changes to advance First Nations post-secondary education in Ontario.
We are currently seeing some progress in closing the attainment gap for First Nations. As a result of the policy proposal the First Nations Post-Secondary Terms and Conditions have been updated. The proposal also resulted in the development a Memorandum to Cabinet, which has passed government approval processes and will result in funding increases for First Nations in Ontario.
HCSEP
High Cost Special Education Program (HCSEP)
The contribution funding authority for the HCSEP funding has now been changed by INAC from “Set” to “Fixed” effective 2016/2017 fiscal. The Fixed Contribution funding approach enables recipients to retain any unexpended funding balances.
Should you have any questions regarding this change please contact Shelley Knott-Fife (INAC Senior Education Officer) at 705-768-3547 or Shelley.KnottFife@aandc.gc.ca or your INAC Senior Funding Services Officer.
Charting Our Own Path Forward
First Nations in Ontario have been charting our own path forward in education and remain concerned with jurisdiction over our educational systems and the implementation of stable, predictable funding mechanisms. First Nations youth are the youngest and fastest growing segment of our citizens. Endless studies and reports have been completed to identify our education rights, needs, and recommendations, and yet the Treaty right to education has not been implemented.
First Nation Lifelong Learning Table
The FNLL Table aims to enable First Nations and the government of Ontario to build a stronger, collaborative working relationship based on inclusion and mutual respect. It is anticipated that the Table will improve communication and increase understanding resulting in improved support for First Nation learners in the provincial education system.