The annual FNESC Education Conference is a gathering focused on advancing quality First Nations education in British Columbia.
This year’s conference theme, Creating an Education System Worthy of our Children, provides opportunities to explore how we can improve education systems to better support First Nation learners and ensure that all students receive quality First Nations education.
Systemic shifts in the system are needed to ensure that First Nation students see their languages, cultures and traditional values reflected in their schooling experience and to address the racism of low expectations.
Conference participants include educators and education administrators from First Nations, public and independent schools, school districts, and public post-secondary institutions in BC.
The conference opening evening is December 4th and the conference main days are December 5th and 6th.
The waitlist for the conference is now closed, with over 100 people waitlisted. Thank you for your interest in the conference.
Please note that invoicing will begin in October and the hotel booking link is available on the ‘Accommodation’ tab.
Rates & Registration
$650 Regular, $450 Elder (60+), $450 Student with valid student card. GST included.
Register link will bee posted soon. Upon successfully registering, you will receive an email registration confirmation.
Additional Details
Given the high demand for seats at this conference, only residents of British Columbia are eligible to register.
Representatives of First Nations (leadership and employees of First Nations in BC) will have a one-week advance period to register.
Full payment must be received by November 21, 2025.
Each participant should be registered with a unique email address so that they will receive follow up correspondence directly.
To make changes to your registration, please use the change/cancellation request link in the registration confirmation email or request the change to conference@fnesc.ca.
Group Invoicing
To request group invoicing, email a list of registered participants and billing contact details (including an email and full mailing address) to conference@fnesc.ca with “Group Invoice Request” in the subject line.
All group members must register online before invoicing can occur.
Invoicing is scheduled to begin in early October. Cheques are payable to the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
The Westin Bayshore Hotel, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
- Room rate from $163 +tax for a single or double room.
- Reservations: Booking Link
- Book your hotel in advance as it may fill up quickly. Book by November 3, 2025.
The schedule is draft and subject to change.
Thursday, December 4, Opening Evening
All conference registrants are invited to first check in for the conference and then join us for the opening evening. Light refreshments, coffee and tea will be served and entertainment is being planned.
6:00 pm Conference Check-in
7:00 pm Social Evening with Cultural Event and Benefit Auction for the Seventh Generation Club
9:00 pm Closing
Friday, December 5
7:30 am Conference Check-in
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Welcome to the Territory
9:10 am Opening Remarks
9:20 am Keynote
10:15 am Nutrition Break
10:30 am Plenary Presentations
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Workshop Session 1
2:30 pm Nutrition Break
2:45 pm Workshop Session 2
4:15 pm Close of the Day
Dec. 5, 4:30 to 6:00 pm UBC Event: NITEP Alumni and Friends Reception and Reconciliation and Decolonization Alumni Award Presentation
Saturday, December 6
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Opening Remarks
9:10 am Plenary Presentation
10:10 am Nutrition Break
10:30 am Workshop Session 3
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Plenary Presentation
1:45 pm Workshop Session 4
3:15 pm Reflections and Door Prizes
3:30 pm Close of the Day
Call for Exhibitors
Thank you for all your interest. The deadline for submitting exhibitor applications has passed and we no longer accept new application.
Exhibitor applications will be evaluated on criteria that include relevancy to our conference, quality of products/information, and year-to-year exhibitor variety. Exhibitors will be contacted in mid-September to confirm whether or not they are selected for the conference and for invoicing.
Call for Workshops
This year’s conference theme, Creating an Education System Worthy of our Children, provides opportunities to explore how we can improve education systems to better support First Nation learners and ensure that all students receive quality First Nations education.
FNESC seeks proposals for workshops on topics relating to the theme that demonstrate systemic change or innovative approaches at a variety of levels (K4-Gr. 12, adult education and post-secondary).
Apply by September 8th.
Two presenters per workshop are eligible for benefits if required (complimentary hotel, registration fee waiver, and 50% travel reimbursement).
Parking
Parking at The Westin Bayshore is available at 1620 Bayshore Drive. Parking instructions will be sent to registrants prior to the event.
Guests staying at The Westin Bayshore can access a discounted parking rate of $27.50 per day for 24-hour self-parking.
For those attending the conference but with accommodation elsewhere, there is a discounted self-parking rate of $18.25 per day from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Meals
The December 4th opening night is a social event and benefit auction. It will include light finger foods and refreshments. Breakfasts, lunch and nutrition breaks will be provided on December 5th and 6th.
Sharing Table
Do you know an amazing resource that you want to let others know about?
The Sharing Table is a space for displaying information about learning resources, professional development opportunities, and other initiatives relating to First Nations education. When you arrive at the conference, drop off your flyers/brochures at the information and directions desk to be put out on display. FNESC reserves the right to choose which items are displayed.
Benefit Auction
Contributions for the Seventh Generation Club benefit auction are greatly appreciated.
If you will be contributing an item for the auction, please contact us and we will plan to connect with you. Thank you for your support of the Seventh Generation Club.
Health
Please stay home if you are feeling unwell. Only registered participants are eligible to attend. Family and friends cannot attend the event at any time, including for meals. The decision to attend in-person events is a personal one and it should be made in consideration of your individual risk factors and vulnerabilities.
Photography & Recording
This is a public event where photography and videorecording will take place. The images and recordings will be used by FNESC and the First Nations Schools Association for promotional purposes. In case of questions, please contact conference@fnesc.ca.
Audio and video recording, AI transcription, and use of other AI tools by participants to record at this event is not permitted.
To be announced
For conference questions, please contact conference@fnesc.ca.