The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia. FNESC has a mandate to support First Nations students and advance First Nations education in BC.
News
- Registrations for the 26th Annual FNESC Education Conference are open now and both workshop applications and exhibitor applications are being accepted. Visit FNESC Conference event page.
- School Trustee elections will take place across BC in the fall of 2022. Trustees have a meaningful voice in the public education system that can make a difference for First Nations students and improve the educational success of all learners. Learn about becoming a Trustee…
- Celebrating First Nations control of First Nations education at Seabird Island, honouring Cowichan Tribes, Lil’wat Nation, Seabird Island, and ʔaq’am for concluding education self-government agreements. See the news release.
- FNESC is excited to share that the BC Ministry of Education is implementing an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement for all secondary students beginning in the 2023/2024 school year. Learn more.
- Provincial legislation has been introduced supporting the implementation of a joint Teacher Certification and Regulation Process for First Nations schools participating in the Education Jurisdiction Initiative. See the media release and backgrounder.
COVID-19 Resources and Response See the latest information from FNESC, FNSA, and the IAHLA about and find links to external resources. Also see the FNESC Communicable Disease Prevention Plan
Featured Resources
The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) was founded in 1992 by participants at a provincial First Nations education conference at the Vancouver Friendship Centre. That visionary group of people determined the need for a First Nations-controlled collective organization focused on advancing quality education for all First Nations learners.
The BC Tripartite Education Agreement: Supporting First Nation Student Success (BCTEA) has been signed, resulting in important and positive changes for First Nations education in British Columbia.
Quick Links
- The English First Peoples Teacher Resource Guide (2018) provides support for the 2016-18 revision of British Columbia’s English First Peoples 10-12 curriculum. See publications catalogue for more resources…
- The Aboriginal “How Are We Doing?” report, available on the BC Ministry of Education website, provides information about Aboriginal students (including adults) performance in public schools.
- First Nations Post-Secondary Coordinators can visit our PSE Coordinators page to information about funding programs, student resources, and more.
- Looking for a career in First Nations schools? Visit our partner, the First Nations Schools Association.
- FNESC Membership is open to BC First Nations (Bands). Each First Nation is eligible to have one representative on the FNESC Board. Contact FNESC at 1-877-422-3672 regarding membership questions or updates or see details on our Membership Page.
Did You Know?
Each year FNESC holds a series of community meetings called Regional Sessions to report on our activities and to seek input from First Nations on a wide range of education issues.