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About » Indigenous Advisory Education Council

Indigenous Advisory Education Council

 
 
The Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC) of School District 67 - Okanagan Skaha acknowledges and honours the traditional territory and history of the Okanagan (Syilx) People and the Penticton Indian Band. We also acknowledge the traditional teachings of all our elders and the wisdom of their Indigenous culture.
 
 

 

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Okanagan Skaha IEAC is to support and enhance the learning opportunities and overall success for all Indigenous students.

STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE COUNCIL
The Council will represent Indigenous interests in the design, implementation, and assessment of programs and services that will improve the school experience and academic achievement of Indigenous students.
 
The Council will:
  • Annually review and consider the results of the Equity Scan process.Work to determine programming and shared funding initiatives related to the Ministry of Education’s Indigenous 1701 Targeted Funding Policy.

  • Make recommendations, to the Principal / Vice Principal of Indigenous Education, on any Ministry or locally initiated changes to curriculum or services that will affect Indigenous students.

  • Review District and Ministry of Education policies related to Indigenous students.

  • Recommend to the Board of Education, changes to District policies.

  • Ensure that Okanagan (Syilx) language, history, culture, traditions and protocols are recognized and incorporated in the school curriculum at all grade levels.

  • Ensure that the school curriculum honours and recognizes the diversity of Indigenous languages, histories, cultures, traditions and the contributions of Indigenous people to Canadian society.

  • Ensure current topics affecting Indigenous peoples are presented in the curriculum from an Indigenous perspective and in a culturally safe manner.

  • Review annually the Indigenous Education programs and services for all Indigenous students and make recommendations to the Principal / Vice Principal of Indigenous Education.

  • Review annually the Targeted Funding budget and make recommendations to the Principal / Vice Principal of Indigenous Education who will present to the Board of Education bi-annually.

  • Ensure that Indigenous student data are collected and reported annually.

  • Ensure that the interests of all Indigenous students in the District are met.

  • Support and advocate for the hiring of Indigenous people within all District programs and services.

  • Ensure that members of this council are made aware of employment opportunities within the District Indigenous Education Program.

  • Support and advocate ongoing research regarding Indigenous education issues.

  • Promote Okanagan (Syilx) Protocol and Indigenous cultural awareness and understanding within all staff groups in the District.

COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
 
Voting Council members will be the appointed representatives or alternates as follows:
 
    • One representative from Penticton Indian Band
    • One representative from the South Okanagan Similkameen Metis Association
    • One Elder representative from the Okanagan Territory
    • One representative from the Ooknakane Friendship Center
    • Principal / Vice Principal of Indigenous Education

Non-Voting Council Members:
    • One representative from the British Columbia Teachers Federation
    • One representative from CUPE
    • One Indigenous Student
    • One Indigenous Parent
    • One representative from the Okanagan Skaha Board of Trustees
 
In most cases, when making a decision, we will strive to reach a high consensus of the whole group, but if necessary, decisions may be made by a simple majority (50% + 1).

LENGTH OF TERM
This Terms of Reference is a living document that may be subject to revision from time to time through a cooperative process established by the IEAC. The IEAC will review the Terms of Reference at least once every three (3) years.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • The Members of the IEAC shall work together in the spirit of cooperation ensuring a safe, respectful environment for all voices to be heard.

  • Council members are expected to attend Council meetings and to reflect the interests, concerns and perspectives of the organization on whose behalf they are speaking.

  • Where they are unable to do so for any reason (e.g. their organization has not discussed the issue), but wish to offer a personal or professional observation, they should make any such observation with the added comment that they are doing so not on behalf of the organization, but in their personal capacity. Representatives should advise their organizations about such issues.

  • It is also expected that the representatives will provide the means through which these interested organizations be kept informed about the affairs and decisions of the Council.

  • The IEAC acts as an advisory council to advise the board of education in all that is related to Indigenous Education and Indigenous students. The IEAC can make recommendations, by way of motions, voting on motion and if carried send to the board of trustees for consideration.

MEETINGS
The IEAC will meet five times during the school year and may meet at such other times as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. The meetings will be chaired by the Principal / Vice Principal of Indigenous Education or their designate.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Disclosure
Every IEAC member who is in any way directly or indirectly interested in any existing or proposed contract, transaction or arrangement with the Okanagan Skaha School District and the IEAC, or who otherwise has a conflict of interest, will declare the interest fully at IEAC meetings and shall leave the meeting until such time as the conflict matter has been dealt with.

The IEAC member may give a prepared statement regarding the conflict of interest but shall leave the meeting for the decision-making process. The IEAC reserves the right to recall the member to answer questions that would provide further clarification.

Time of Declaration
A member will disclose any conflict of interest at the first possible meeting when the issue will be discussed and or when another IEAC member identifies it.

Effect of Declaration
If an IEAC member has made a declaration of his or her conflict of interest and has refrained from discussion and decision-making, they are not accountable for the decision made by the IEAC.

Non-Disclosure
When there is a perception of a conflict of interest, another member may request an agenda item to ask the member to declare the conflict. The IEAC will decide whether the member is in conflict, and record its decision.

CONFIDENTIALITY
The following are not within the purpose of the IEAC:
  • Personnel matters
  • Personal and confidential information on students, parents, teachers, other employees and members of the school community
  • Performance or conduct of individual employees, students, parents and members of the school community
  • Terms and conditions of employment contracts
  • Items covered in-camera will be confidential

As individual IEAC members may have access to confidential information, IEAC members will sign a Confidentiality Agreement.