The Yukon government is providing more than $35 million in funding to the First Nation School Board over the next 15 months for operations, maintenance and the development of language and cultural educational programs.

The government said Monday it’s keeping its commitment to reconciliation and true collaboration with Yukon First Nations.

“This significant funding agreement will help address commitments outlined in the Framework Agreement with the Chiefs Committee on Education, the Joint Education Action Plan and recommendations from the 2019 Auditor General of Canada Report to improve education outcomes for Indigenous and rural students and implement systemic changes that incorporate Yukon First Nations culture and languages in the Yukon’s education system,” the government said in a statement.

The agreement includes funding for not only operations and maintenance of First Nation School Board schools, but also for the establishment of school board organizational capacity and for the development of Yukon First Nations language and culture curricula and educational programs that will benefit all schools operated by the Department of Education.

Schools operating within the First Nation School Board are committed to an inclusive, student-centred model, delivering the British Columbia curriculum through a Yukon First Nations world view, often incorporating land-based learning, family and elder engagement and increased instruction in the local First Nation languages.

“I am proud to support the Yukon First Nation School Board in their goal to provide high-quality education rooted in Yukon First Nations culture and language,” Education Minister Jeanie McLean said in the statement

“This funding agreement represents our government’s commitment to reconciliation and our belief that every child in the Yukon deserves access to an education that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity.

“It is another historic step for our government as, together with our partners, we continue writing a new chapter on education in the Yukon and building a brighter future for the territory.”

The First Nation School Board is operating eight schools under its authority for the 2022-2023 school year.

An additional three schools will fall under the board’s authority at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, bringing the total to 11 schools.

“This funding ensures that all students in our schools are provided an enriched learning environment that incorporates localized and Yukon First Nations world view and sets them up for success in life,” said board chair Dana Tizya-Tramm.

“We are celebrating the ability to fully implement the vision laid out in the First Nation School Board Agreement, ideas formally laid out in Together Today for our Children Tomorrow.

“This funding also strengthens the new partnership between Yukon government and the First Nation School Board with respect to education in the Yukon and we look forward to this growing and developing this relationship in the years ahead,” Tizya-Tramm added.

Under the Education Act, the minister of Education has oversight of all public schools and school boards in the Yukon.

McLean notified the legislature of the arrangement Monday in the form of a ministerial statement.

“Our Yukon Liberal government is committed to the sustainability and success of the First Nation School Board,” she told the House.

“Together with our partners, we are writing a new chapter on education in the Yukon and building a brighter future for the territory. We are committed to ensuring that all Yukon school authorities have the resources that they need to deliver high-quality and culturally appropriate education.”

Scott Kent, the Yukon Party’s eduction critic, noted, “Tangible changes are already being made, as we see with the new literacy instruction that will be introduced into First Nation School Board schools this fall.

“We hope that the minister follows the lead of the school board and considers making changes to the literacy programs in Yukon government-run schools.”

He asked McLean, “When it comes to operation and maintenance, can the minister tell us if an equitable amount of per student funding will be provided to those schools that have decided to continue under the existing school governance model?

“Will there be any changes in the hiring practices at the First Nation School Board schools as a result of this agreement?” Kent asked.

“Also, will the same program for capital funding, maintenance, and repairs be in place?”

NDP Leader Kate White said, "Since the establishment of the First Nation School Board, we have seen steps being taken for real change in Yukon education, and I know that I am not the only one who believes that there will be lessons learned and shared through the First Nation schools that will help Yukon education find a good path forward.

"Students are at the centre of the First Nation School Board-run schools, with families, the land, school teams, administration, First Nations, the school board and the Minister of Education, community and elders all radiating outwards in wrap-around rings of mutual support. All rings come with unique responsibilities and jurisdiction, and no one ring is more important or more powerful than the next. I believe that there is a lot to learn from this holistic world view that will hopefully carry over into the Department of Education-run schools."

The 2023-24 territorial budget tabled March 2 transfers $10 million to the territory’s other school board: the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon, White noted.

“One school board represents two schools and one school board represents 11, so how is this funding amount equitable?” White asked.

“To be clear, this isn’t me pitting equity-seeking groups against each other. The Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon has been and will continue to be a strong and loud supporter of the First Nation School Board, and the First Nation School Board will continue to be a strong and loud supporter of the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon,” White added.

“So, this is a question of fairness. How are funding amounts decided for individual schools, and does the $35 million being discussed reflect the previously allocated funding amounts for these 11schools?”

McLean responded that the funding formula for both boards’ operation and maintenance is the same.

“The $35.1-million funding commitment (all of which is in the new budget) covers the next 15-month period running until the end of the 2023-24 school year and, again, we will be working to include the additional three schools,” she said.

She also said the government “has prioritized decolonizing the education system. We recognize that this is a necessary step to meaningful reconciliation. It is a big part of the action we are taking to improve education for all Yukon students.

“For too long, we, as Indigenous people, were told that our language, our culture, and our way wasn’t good enough,” McLean added.

“This was wrong. Through education, we have an opportunity to work together to revitalize language, culture, and heritage in our school settings.”