Council on Mi'kmaq Education

Nova Scotia's first Council on Mi'kmaq Education is now in place. The council provides guidance to the minister of education and culture on the development, implementation, evaluation and funding of educational programs and services to Mi'kmaq students in the public school and adult education systems.

"The Council on Mi'kmaq Education opens the lines of communication between the Department of Education and Culture and the Mi'kmaq community," said Minister Robbie Harrison. "We welcome the advice of the council as we add new programs in Mi'kmaq studies in our schools and work to ensure the curriculum reflects the importance of Mi'kmaq history, language and culture."

In 1993, a task force on Mi'kmaq education was created to advise on strategies to meet the needs of Mi'kmaq students. One of its recommendations was the creation of the Council on Mi'kmaq Education.

The council is made up 13 representatives appointed by the minister. Members are from a number of organizations representing the Mi'kmaq community: the Native Council of Nova Scotia, the Union of Nova Scotia Indians, the Confederacy of Mainland Micmacs, the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, and the Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey. Other members of the council include Mi'kmaq representatives from the regional school boards, and three representatives from the Mi'kmaq community at large.

The council works with the Mi'kmaq Services Division of the Department of Education and Culture. The council advises the minister on a number of issues, including the development of curriculum reflecting Mi'kmaq history, language, heritage, culture, traditions and contributions to society, and the development of Mi'kmaq language arts courses for Mi'kmaq and non-native students.

The council will meet four to six times a year.