The 26th Annual FNESC Education Conference will bring together educators, administrators and partners to learn, share, and be inspired, with a focus on advancing quality education for First Nations learners in BC. We are grateful to return to an in-person conference this year and for the opportunities it will afford for learning and sharing.
Workshop selection is now open.
The button link will be active by 8:30 am December 1st.
The conference details are available as a flyer for sharing and printing.
Our conference theme, Resilience and Self-Determination: A Vision of the Future, challenges us to reflect upon the history of First Nations education in BC and to learn about the consistent efforts of First Nations to exercise First Nations Control of First Nations Education. At the conference this year we are celebrating the first four First Nations – ʔaq’am, Cowichan Tribes, Seabird Island and Lil’wat Nation – to fully implement their education jurisdiction, with law making authority. We are also looking forward to sharing information about the new Indigenous-focused graduation requirement, which will ensure that all secondary school students graduate with knowledge of Indigenous cultures and perspectives
An exciting agenda is being planned, with guest speakers, panels, and over two dozen workshops.
The workshop proposal deadline is closed. We appreciate your interest, engagement and support.
The waitlist is now closed.
Those at the top of the waitlist have been notified, and unfortunately, it is not anticipated to have any additional waitlist spots. We will make sure to include all waitlisted people in our conference notification next year.
Thank you for your interest and overwhelming response to the conference, and we apologize that we were not able to accommodate all those wishing to attend the conference this year.
Out-of-Province Residents
BC residents have registration priority. Out-of-province residents may register but they will be waitlisted and confirmed closer to the time of the event if registration space is available.
Policies
Refunds: Full refunds up to and including November 15, 2022. Substitutions allowed.
Registration Fees: Full payment must be received by November 15, 2022 or the registration will be cancelled. Registration payments will not be accepted on-site at the event.
Groups: Cheque payments for groups must be accompanied by a “Group Registration Form” showing the name, email and registration fee of each registrant.
Cheques: Payable to the First Nations Education Steering Committee. Mail to: First Nations Education Steering Committee, Suite 113, 100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver V7T 1A2.
Registration Tips
Deciding whether to register?
We suggest that you register and book your hotel as soon as you are eligible to avoid disappointment. Both the conference and hotel will fill up quickly.
Contact
Event Administrator, FNESC
Toll-free 1-877-422-3672 conference@fnesc.ca
The exhibitor proposal deadline is closed. We appreciate your interest, engagement and support.
Venue & Accommodation
The conference venue is the Westin Bayshore Hotel, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver.
The main room block at the Westin Bayshore is full. We have arranged an overflow room block at the Pinnacle Hotel 1133 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC.
Rooms from $159+tax single/double
Please use the booking link below to make your reservation.
Parking
The Westin Bayshore
Parking at The Westin Bayshore is available at 1620 Bayshore Drive. Guests staying at The Westin Bayshore can access a discounted parking rate of $25.50/day for 24-hour self-parking. For those attending the conference but staying elsewhere, there is a discounted self-parking rate of $16.25/day from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Parking instructions will be sent to registrants prior to the event.
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Parking instructions at The Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront will be shared at a later date.
Program (draft)
All registrants will be contacted in October when workshop selection is available.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022
Opening Evening
| 6:00 pm | Registration Opens |
| 7:00 pm | Social Evening with Cultural Entertainment and Benefit Auction |
| 9:00 pm | Closing |
An evening of reconnection and cultural celebration. The opening evening of the conference will feature entertainment and a benefit auction in support of the Seventh Generation Club. The club, which has thousands of members from 6-16 years of age, encourages students to attend school regularly, plan for higher education and careers, and celebrate their cultures.
All conference registrants are invited to attend. Light refreshments, coffee and tea will be served.
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
| 7:30 am | Registration Opens |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:45 am | Welcome to the Territory |
| 8:50 am | Opening Remarks |
| 9:15 am | Recognizing First Nations Education Jurisdiction and the First Nations Education Authority (FNEA) |
| 9:30 am | Keynote Address by The Honourable Steven Point, OBC (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) |
| 10:10 am | Break |
| 10:30 am | Workshop Session 1 |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | First Nations Authors Panel |
| 1:55 pm | Break |
| 2:15 pm | Workshop Session 2 |
| 3:45 pm | Close of the Day |
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 am | Opening Remarks |
| 9:10 am | Celebration of the New Indigenous-Focused Graduation Requirement |
| 10:05 am | Break |
| 10:30 am | Workshop Session 3 |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Workshop Session 4 |
| 2:30 pm | Break |
| 2:40 pm | Reflections and Door Prizes |
| 3:00 pm | Close of the Day |
Former BC lieutenant-governor, The Honourable Steven Lewis Point, OBC, Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl, is the current chancellor of University of British Columbia. He is highly respected for his commitment to working for First Nations and the people of British Columbia, his dedication to the legal profession and land rights, and for his support for the revival of traditional languages and cultures.
A former provincial court judge and treaty negotiator, he was previously Chief of the Skowkale First Nation, Tribal Chair of the Stó:lo Nation, and Grand Chief of Stó:lo Tribal Council. In 2005, he was named the BC Treaty Commission’s chief commissioner. In 2007, Steven Point became the 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the first Indigenous person to hold the position. Steven Point has served on the boards of Providence Health Care at St. Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver International Arbitration Centre. He worked on Chilliwack’s Safety Advisory Committee and First Nations Friendship Centre.
Meals
The December 8 opening night social event and benefit auction includes light finger foods and refreshments.
Breakfasts, lunch and breaks will be provided on December 9-10.
Please indicate major dietary needs/allergies on your registration form or notify conference@fnesc.ca at least two weeks in advance of the event.
Sharing Table
The Sharing Table is an exhibit table for sharing information about learning resources, professional development opportunities, and other initiatives relating to First Nations education. Drop off your flyers/brochures at the registration desk and they will be put on display on December 10. FNESC reserves the right to choose which items are displayed.
Photography & Filming
This is a public event where photography and video-recording will take place. The images and recordings will be used by FNESC for promotional purposes. In case of questions, please contact privacy@fnesc.ca.