Education Agreements: When First Nations students who reside in a First Nations community attend publicly funded schools, a formal, legal and binding agreement must be developed between the First Nation and the Board. It must address the common services that are provided to all students and additional programs and services or equipment to be provided by the board to meet the needs of First Nation students. There are three major areas in which each of the parties must follow the terms of the agreement to ensure successful implementation: Tuition fees and provisions, descriptions of programs and services and reporting and communication requirements.
Curriculum Development for mandatory Indigenous History and Culture: In collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and education partners, the Ministry of Education is developing a comprehensive plan to ensure that the impact of residential schools, the history of colonization and the importance of treaties is incorporated into mandatory learning expectations in Ontario’s public education system curriculum. As of September 2015, Ontario’s Faculties of Education are required to provide mandatory content that includes First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures, perspectives and ways of knowing. OPSBA’s Indigenous Trustees’ Council has successfully nominated writers to the
curriculum writing teams. They will also have roles in monitoring the work that is produced. Teacher Education Programs: As stated above, as of September 2015, Ontario’s Faculties of Education are required to provide mandatory content that includes First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures, perspectives and ways of knowing.