SD60 commits to support First Nation’s students with renewal of education agreement

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The local school district has renewed its agreement to improve working relationships with Doig River First Nation (DRFN).

School District 60 (SD60) held a ceremonial signing to renew the Local Education Agreement (LEA) during its June 16th board meeting. 

The agreement was signed by board chair Helen Gilbert and secretary-treasurer Angela Telford. 

SD60 board chair Helen Gilbert said she hopes DRFN students graduate with “everything needed to contribute to health and happiness and that of others.”

According to the LEA’s introduction, the agreement was made as an “important mechanism” to increase mutual accountability and promote a meaningful relationship between the board and DRFN. 

“My dream for the children of the Doig River First Nation is to have each and every one of them succeed at their best potential,” said Pat Jansen, principal of the Indigenous Education Center.

“They will graduate with a Dogwood Graduation Certificate, confidence, options and dignity.”  

According to the agreement, the district will integrate the Tsaa ché ne dane language, stories and songs into the classroom

Other commitments include making Tsaa ché ne dane students feel included and developing educational programs that foster academic excellence. 

“The time spent in our schools should help students build the strengths needed for the success they seek,” said Gilbert.

The district’s first LEA agreement was signed in 2020, with the commitment to support DRFN student achievement. 

SD60 Superintendent Stephen Petrucci said DRFN is an important partner with the school district. 

“[The agreement] provides the basis for which the school district provides services for students from the Doig River First Nation,” said Petrucci. 

The agreement is part of a commitment to align provincial legislation with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Petrucci said the new signing was mostly a continuation of the previous agreement with little changes or additions. 

The full LEA can be viewed below: