More 'real history' coming to Ontario schools (3 photos)

Education Minister Liz Sandals and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee signed the Master Education Framework Agreement (MEFA) at a conference held in Sault Ste. Marie Thursday.

The agreement recognizes the need to help Anishinabek children enjoy a greater comfort level and reach academic success in both Anishinabek First Nations and Ontario schools.

"This marks a formal agreement for us to collaborate, to make sure we're supporting aboriginal students in doing the best they can possibly do…many of the students spend elementary in reserve schools and then come into the provincial system, so if those students are going to succeed we need to work together," Sandals told reporters.

A good example of collaboration and mutual respect, both Sandals and Madahbee said, is the educational and cultural facilities available for Garden River First Nation children enrolled at East View Public School.

Those facilities, the elected officials said, are something they want to see put in place across Ontario.

"There is a First Nations space (at East View) for the Garden River children and it also provides a space where the other children in the school can learn about First Nations culture," Sandals said.

"We want to make sure in provincial schools that all children learn about the real history of the First Nations people in Ontario, including learning about residential schools and some of the trauma that families have suffered in the past," Sandals said.

"The cultural dimension is critical to this," Madahbee told SooToday.

"We want to include, in the provincial system, First Nations history, culture and language, I think there's been a void in the Ontario school system."

"As I remember, growing up, we learned primarily British history, American history and very little Canadian history, so I think it's very important for First Nations and Canadians as a whole to learn about the true history of this area," Madahbee said.

"If we can bring into the schools what the Robinson-Huron Treaty is about, people will have a better understanding about some of the outstanding issues that are still in the works with the government, issues like land claims and grievances, there are historical reasons why those things are there, it's like unfinished business."

"We're all treaty people," Madahbee said.

The agreement was signed by Sandals, Madahbee and a host of First Nations chiefs and educators, gathered in a circle after a pipe ceremony held at the Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel.

Students passed copies of the agreement around to each official for signing.

Officials from the Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board and Sault MPP David Orazietti witnessed the signing.

The agreement signed Thursday is not legally binding.

The agreement stems from an original memorandum of understanding between the Anishinabek Nation and the Ontario government in 2009.

It parallels a separate agreement signed between the Anishinabek Nation and the federal government.

The following is a release from the Union of Ontario Indians:

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The Anishinabek First Nations and Ontario have signed an historical Master Education Framework Agreement on November 19.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals met today with youth, Directors of the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body and Anishinabek Nation Chiefs in Sault Ste. Marie to sign the agreement.

The signing of the Master Education Framework Agreement is an historic event, evidencing the commitment of the Province of Ontario and the Anishinabek First Nations to negotiate the terms of a new arrangement to support First Nation students’ education in Anishinabek First Nation schools and provincial schools.

The proposed Master Education Agreement will open doors to new opportunities for partnerships in education at the local and provincial level.

"The signing of the Master Education Framework Agreement with the Province enhances our respectful relationship with each other,” says Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. “The Anishinabek First Nations are rapidly moving towards establishing our own education system that will strengthen educational opportunities and achievement of our students and in the end, our communities. This Framework Agreement complements the education arrangements that the Anishinabek Nation negotiated with the federal government. These agreements support the establishment of the Anishinabek Education System."

Education Minister Liz Sandals says, “We are committed to achieving excellence in education for all students. The Master Education Framework Agreement helps set new goals for the future and reaffirms our government’s commitment to ongoing collaboration to support Anishinabek First Nations students.”

The Master Education Framework Agreement is intended to establish practical arrangements for ongoing collaboration on strategies to promote Anishinaabe student success and well-being; support transitions between First Nations’ schools and Ontario schools; and assist the Anishinabek Education System to provide high quality, Anishinaabe educational programs and services in First Nations’ schools.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949.

The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.

The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

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(PHOTO: Education Minister Liz Sandals was present to sign an agreement with Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and several First Nation leaders and educators at the Delta, November 19, 2015. Darren Taylor/SooToday)