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
- See the most recent update on Transportation to Public Schools for documents, templates and important dates.
- At the Learning First Peoples Spring Institute we are offering workshops on the English First Peoples 10-12, BC First Peoples 12 and Math & Science First Peoples Teacher Resource Guides. Learn more.
- 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.
- FNESC is providing the opportunity for First Nations to have general condition assessments conducted for their school facilities. FNESC is covering the cost of the assessments as the information will help us prepare for BC Tripartite Education Agreement/BCTEA2 negotiations (note that FNESC does not fund actual maintenance work) to build a BC specific First Nations schools funding model. Please kindly note that due to limited resources, these assessments will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in knowing more about the condition of your school facilities and helping FNESC represent all BC First Nations, please contact Jenna MacIver at jennam@fnesc.ca or call 604-925-6087.
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.