January 14, 2022

Dear First Nations Schools,

We hope that everyone is keeping well as we start off the new year.

As part of our continuing efforts to support First Nations during the pandemic, the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) are providing two revised versions of our resources. The revisions reflect evolving public health guidance for K-12 schools related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  1. COVID-19 Protocols for First Nations School Administrators: Management of School-Associated Activity (Revised January 14, 2022)

FNESC and FNSA’s revised COVID-19 Protocols for First Nations School Administrators: Management of School-Associated Activity is intended to support First Nations school administrators managing COVID-19 within the school community.  This document reflects FNESC and FNSA’s current understanding of the processes for managing cases based on updated public health guidance.

This document is an adaptation of a resource developed by BCCDC and BC Ministry of Education. FNESC and FNSA adapted the resource in consultation with the First Nations Health Authority.

  1. First Nations Schools Reopening Considerations and Template (Revised January 14, 2022)

As described in our December 31st update, both the BCCDC and Ministry of Education released addendums to their communicable disease guidelines for K-12 schools. FNESC and FNSA have incorporated the updated guidance into our First Nations Schools Reopening Considerations and Template.  

FNESC and FNSA fully respect the authority of individual First Nations to make decisions about the operation of First Nations schools in the best interests of their students, schools, and communities. This includes the authority to decide if and how to use these resources to inform planning, and if and when to reopen their schools for in-person learning.

Please feel free to contact FNESC and FNSA with your questions. Find the latest updates on our COVID-19 information page.