After a year of negotiations, the Lheidli T’enneh band and School District 57 have signed a local education agreement.
The five-year document is said to meet the learning needs from academic and cultural lessons, to opportunities in developing physical and emotional well-beings.
.@HostFirstNation Chief Frederick, #SD57 sign 5yr education agreement; designed to promote academic, social, cultural needs | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/JzGmn8zbHl
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 28, 2017
Chief Dominic Frederick says this is a big moment for all Host First Nation students.
“We put our students on a pedestal so that our students don’t fall through the cracks, and then hopefully that won’t happen. If they’re starting to, then we have an agreement; we have measures that we can take to help them move forward.”
Board Chair Tim Bennett and other SD57 representatives were on hand for the historical signing.
He says the signing sees equal opportunities for kids in the city, and on the reserve.
“It also focuses on the children on the town site. We have 40-plus students out here, and the agreement is to ensure the students here are getting a full education. We’re constantly working with the Lheidli T’enneh and consulting with them through the process.”
Both organizations see an additional desire for educational benefits socially, so students can become more interactive with teachers, and fellow classmates.
The Local Education Agreement will take effect on September 1st.
#SD57 Supt Marilyn Marquis-Forester speaks to importance of education for all young students; Sept will be an exciting time | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/lV33Hd7uUk
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 28, 2017