The Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority will operate like a school division. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New Initiative

Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority expected to officially launch next week

Jul 31, 2019 | 12:03 PM

Leadership of three northern First Nations are hopeful the creation of the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority (ADEA) will improve the outcome of their students.

The education authority, which will operate similar to a school division, involves Black Lake Denesuline First Nation, Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation and Hatchet Lake Dene Nation. Interim Director of Education Gerry Guillet stated the initiative began two-and-a-half years ago with the assistance of Indigenous Services Canada. He noted the three First Nations joined together to maximize efficiencies, improve education in their schools and hope to receive more funding to reflect the challenges and remoteness of the region.

“We want to make sure we’re able to work together as Dene communities and emphasis improving the educational opportunities for all students,” Guillet said. “Currently, these schools are only able to offer a basic academic program with no electives particularly in high school. The ability of the community to attract qualified teachers certainly is another challenge, and to retain these teachers for more than one year or a few months is also a major challenge.”

In total, the education authority would oversee four schools with one in Black Lake, one in Fond du Lac and two in Hatchet Lake for a combined number of students at approximately 1,200. Prince Albert would also host the central office for the ADEA as Guillet stated the location is ideal for transportation, services and recruiting highly-qualified staff. If the office was located in the far North, he mentioned the authority would encounter major challenges in those areas.

Guillett, who accepted the position of interim director of education one month ago after working on the initiatives for some time as a consultant, also said the three bands expect to sign an agreement with the federal government next week. He believes the ADEA will be the first of its kind to officially launch in Saskatchewan.

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“We’re breaking some really important ground and I think this is a real opportunity for our Athabasca people of the North to show they are fully behind the education of their children,” he said. “We feel certainly that by establishing the authority, the bands together would have more influence and I guess a little bit more clout when it comes to negotiating funding with the federal government that would reflect the actuals and the needs of the communities in the far North.”

In an email to larongeNOW, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education stated the provincial government is aware of the creation of the ADEA between the First Nations. It notes the ministry respects and recognizes First Nations’ jurisdiction in education on-reserve.

“We value and support the many partnerships between provincial school divisions and First Nations communities for the benefit of improving outcomes for all students, both on-reserve and in provincial schools,” the email stated.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno