School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) - SD71 - Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland/Surrounding Areas

Aboriginal Education

Logo designed by Andy Everson

Aboriginal Education Services provides academic, personal and cultural support to Aboriginal students in School District No. 71 (Comox Valley).

Aboriginal Education Council (AEC)

The Aboriginal Education Council (AEC) is made up of delegated representatives of the K’ómoks First Nation, the Wachiay Friendship Centre, the MIKI’SIW Metis Association, Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry, Comox Valley Aboriginal Head Start, North Island College, School District No. 71 (Comox Valley), and elected parents/guardians of Aboriginal students and an Elder.

Aboriginal Education Council Members

Fran Prince (Chair ): K’ómoks First Nation
Jacqueline Batoche (Vice Chair): Birth to 4 parent representative
Jim Louttit: Elder
Paula Selby, Lisa Bowie, and Tammy Morrison – K to 12 parent representatives
Audrey Waite: Comox Valley Aboriginal Head Start
    Alternate: Raymond Kioke
Sharon Niscak: Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry
    Alternate: Christina Cox
Vivian Hermansen: North Island College
    Alternate: Kelly Shopland
Bryce Mercredi: MIKI’SIW Metis Association
    Alternate: Jo Loukes
Evelyn Voyageur: Wachiay Friendship Centre:
    Alternate: Tom Finnie
Fernanda Pare: K’ómoks First Nation
Lynn Joseph: School District No.71
Susan Barr: Board of Education liaison

Parent representatives are elected at the Annual General Meeting Executive is elected by the Council

Vision

Our vision for Aboriginal students is to have a balance between academic performance and Aboriginal culture and identity that will foster the value of life long learning.

The AEC believes:

in honouring the traditional territory of the K’omoks people and recognizing the importance of their leadership role in Aboriginal Education
by sharing our world view we take a leading role in education
in exercising our right to participate in the decisions affecting Aboriginal children and their families
there is a shared responsibility to provide quality education for our children and families
in involving parents at all levels
in respecting and honouring the cultural diversity within the Aboriginal community
in continuous learning to improve the quality of life
in the validity of Aboriginal (knowledge) ways of knowing
in striving for unity of one voice as a Council
in open and respectful communications at all levels
in the permanence of Aboriginal culture and rights

The Aboriginal Education Council acknowledges the collective responsibility of the Aboriginal community and School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) for the success of all Aboriginal learners.

AEC Bulletins

Accessing Services for Aboriginal Students

Aboriginal people are recognized in the Canadian Constitution 1982 (section 35) and include Indian, Metis and Inuit. Indians are as defined in the Indian Act of 1876. Non status Indians and all other people with Aboriginal ancestry are also recognized as Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal students are school-age and have Aboriginal ancestry—First Nations status, non– status, Metis or Inuit are eligible for service from the Aboriginal Education department of Student Services.
To receive support from Aboriginal Education, please contact your school principal or the Aboriginal para-Professional/teacher in the school.

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