First Nations Education Authority
Assisting Participating First Nations in implementing education jurisdiction and developing the capacity to provide K-12 education on First Nations land.
About FNEA
The First Nations Education Authority (FNEA), which came into operation on July 1, 2022, is an independent body that assists First Nations in BC that have assumed jurisdiction over their K-12 education systems on their land pursuant to individual education jurisdiction agreements with Canada. First Nations who have signed such agreements are Participating First Nations (PFNs). As of July 1, 2022, four PFNs have signed education jurisdiction agreements with Canada and several other First Nations are in the process of concluding agreements. The FNEA board of directors is made up of two directors appointed by each of the PFNs.
Collective Areas of Jurisdiction
PFNs have agreed to exercise certain areas of their jurisdiction collectively through FNEA. The four areas of jurisdiction that will be exercised collectively through FNEA include, but are not limited to:
- Teacher Certification and Regulation (other than First Nations Language and Culture Teachers);
- School Certification;
- Graduation Requirements; and
- Approval of Courses Required for Graduation.
FNEA is working in partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) to support new First Nations as they join the education jurisdiction initiative.
What is First Nations Education Jurisdiction?
First Nations education jurisdiction refers to the authority of First Nations to control First Nations education by passing their own education laws. First Nations in BC have been working for over two decades to advance First Nations control over education through the education jurisdiction initiative. Under the education jurisdiction initiative, Canada and BC have formally recognized First Nations’ inherent right to pass laws related to education. First Nations in this initiative who enter into education jurisdiction agreements with Canada will have law-making authority over their K-12 education systems on their land.
