The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works under the direction of First Nations in British Columbia to achieve quality education for First Nations learners and advance First Nations education in BC.
Since its establishment in 1992, FNESC has advocated on education matters that affect First Nations learners, regardless of where they live or attend school. In this work, FNESC recognizes the diverse and unique nature of First Nations and strives to support all First Nations learners, schools and communities on an equitable basis.
To further its mandate, FNESC provides services to support First Nations in building their capacity in education. FNESC also engages with government on policy and legislative issues, facilitates communication, collaborates with education partners, and responds to emerging education priorities.
FNESC takes direction from, and is accountable to, all First Nations in BC and it seeks direction from First Nations leadership on all significant matters affecting First Nations education.
FNESC has 130 board members. First Nations in BC can become a member of FNESC and appoint a Board member through a Band Council Resolution. See our membership page.
Comments and suggestions about the activities facilitated by FNESC are always welcome.
FNESC is dedicated to increasing the success of First Nations learners in British Columbia. We do this by providing services to build capacity in First Nations communities, advocating on behalf of First Nations learners, facilitating communications, and responding to emerging issues with respect to First Nations education. We believe that education for First Nations learners must be premised upon First Nations’ ways of knowing. FNESC is committed to the value of First Nations leadership, the value of all members of First Nations communities, and success in achieving our mission.
Our Role
FNESC advocates on education matters that affect First Nations learners, regardless of where they live or attend school, recognizing and supporting the diverse and unique nature of First Nations and striving to support all First Nations learners, schools and communities on an equitable basis. FNESC supports First Nations collectively, through policy and legislative development with government and by implementing programs and services that benefit all First Nations and First Nation schools.
FNESC does not advocate in support of the financial or personal interests of individual First Nations, specific groups, or individuals. FNESC is not able to provide funding for individual students or staff. FNESC also respects and supports the inherent authority and decision-making of First Nations and cannot get involved in education or governance matters internal to First Nations.
Key Achievements
Provides a united voice on First Nations education in BC, as directed by First Nations leadership and through a formal protocol with the First Nations Leadership Council.
Co-developed amendments to the BC School Act to improve First Nation student learning outcomes through relationships and processes that respect the inherent authority and role of First Nation governments, parents and communities in the education of their children and youth. The 2023 amendments address Local Education Agreements, Indigenous Education Councils, and First Nations Schools of Choice.
Successfully advocated for an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement that requires all students to take four credits of Indigenous-focused coursework to graduate from secondary school with a Dogwood Diploma.
Advanced First Nations control of First Nations education in BC by supporting First Nations to achieve jurisdiction agreements to exercise law-making authority over Kindergarten to Grade 12 education on their lands. Seven First Nations have signed formal education jurisdiction agreements.
Worked with the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association for increased recognition and funding for First Nations mandated post-secondary institutes, including the recent enactment of legislation committing to ongoing funding for eligible First Nations mandated post-secondary institutes.
Negotiated the 2018 BC Tripartite Education Agreement: Supporting First Nations Student Success (BCTEA), as witnessed by the First Nations Schools Association, which supports all First Nations learners, regardless of where they live or attend school. BCTEA provides a flexible and effective funding model for First Nations schools and funding for a comprehensive collection of second and third level services to support the BC First Nations education system. The Agreement was extended to 2025.
