Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey continues to work toward building a strong educational foundation for future generations of Mi’kmaw people. The organization’s current activities include many initiatives.First is the important process of strategic planning. Strategic planning focuses on questions of “where are we”� and “where do we want to be?”. At the end of the process, each participating First Nation community and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey will have five-year strategic plans and one-year operational plans in place. Working toward this goal began when eighty community and education leaders met in Oak Island in December 1999 and identified goals, aspirations and plans which will provide future direction for education reform.

Another major on-going activity is research. Knowing in a general way that improvements in educational funding and implementation need to be undertaken is not sufficient in the negotiation process. Facts have to be in place regarding capital and program planning. The Capital Planning and Education Working Groups have been meeting regularly for over a year on such issues.

Research is being conducted to learn the details and costs of needed improvements in areas such as special education. It became clear that funding levels needed to accommodate children with special needs were not being met. A comprehensive professional examination of special needs has been conducted, and a final report is expected to be made at the next Board of Directors meeting. Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey has also been working nationally with the Assembly of First Nations to address this important issue and has provided input to AFN and the Federal government.

A final component of the organization’s effort to build a strong foundation is “quality control.”. After working to help bring resources such as Mi’kmaw language curriculum development through the Centre of Excellence, we are supporting evaluations to see what has worked, and what needs improvement.

Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey salutes the many volunteers and staff who have gone “the extra mile” in their work toward these important goals.

Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey  is engaging in a process of capacity building in order to be better prepared for the next round of negotiations with respect to Mi’kmaw Education in Nova Scotia.  Training initiatives are well under way through Saint Mary’s University that focus on Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution skills.

(Pictured following November Negotiation Workshop (left to right) top: Chief Lindsay Marshall, Lauretta Welsh, Brad MacRae.  bottom row: Darren Googoo, Marjorie Gould, Chief Reg Maloney.  Not pictured: Chief Morley Googoo, Clarence Smith, and recording secretary Janice Paul)

The contest idea was simple. Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk September contest, “Role Models” asked students to, “Tell us who your role model is, why you admire him/her, and how that person has influenced your life.”Students from grade 2 through grade 12 responded with eighty-two stories of inspiration and respect.

Tony Sylliboy’s classmates looked on proudly as the Eskasoni grade 5 student received his awards in the elementary category. They selected Tony’s story as the one from their class to be submitted.  Tony’s mother and role model, Tonia, along with brother Ricky had a special place in the presentation, with the younger brother being born not too long after the heroic efforts of his mother during a drowning tragedy.

Julia Pineo, a grade 10 student from the Horton First Nation, received special recognition for her entry in the high school category.  The award presentation was made at the Gathering Strength educational meeting in Halifax attended by representatives from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.  Ms. Pineo’s role model, Janis Walker, shared her thoughts with the group, and eloquently articulated how today’s youth are, indeed, our future.

Amanda Hinks’ personal and poignant story of how her friends are her role models earned her the Junior High Award. Amanda attends ninth grade in the Conne River First Nation School in Newfoundland.
All of the stories and role models may be found on the Help Desk website, www.firstnationhelp.com

Education Ministers, educators and administrators from around the globe will converge in Halifax November 26-29.  Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey has been honoured by being asked to sit on a panel discussion representing Mi’kmaw Educational perspectives in Nova Scotia.  Chief Lindsay Marshall will sit on a panel regarding aboriginal perspectives on education with others from around the globe.
Pictured are the Wagmatcook students preparing materials to be placed into a time capsule that will be buried for 25 years.  Included are flags, Mi’kmaw/English Bible, wampum belt, dream catcher, medicine wheel, treaties, music, and a medicine pouch.  The class won the March Help Desk contest, “Time Capsule”.