Community-Based Education Services:

Each Band is responsible for managing the INAC education program which consists of the elementary student (K-12) and post-secondary student supports. Some Bands have delegated their authority to an independent Education Society to administer the funding and offer the programs and services to band members. the Education Authorities are still responsible and accountable to the Band Council for programs and services. Gitanmaax & Glen Vowell administer their band education programs through their Band office.

1. Gitanyow Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by the Gitanyow Independent School Society;
2. Kispiox Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by Anspayaxw School Society;
   1. both are funded by INAC through the GGC block agreement.

The reporting requirements are fulfilled by the Education Coordinators, approved by administration then sent to the Education Advisor for consolidation for final submission to INAC.

GGC Education Advisor

The GGC Education Advisor provides advice and support to the Band Education staff or to the Education Societies administering the Band education programs in the following main areas:

• Nominal Role for elementary school enrollment (all K-12 students on reserve only); Education annual reports and submissions; negotiated a local education agreement with School District #82
• Post Secondary support – supporting application and support to communities to ensure following Education Policy; creating a draft Gitksan Post-Secondary Education Policy
• Post Secondary Appeals – when post-secondary students do not agree with a decision regarding post-secondary financial support;
• Reports to GGC Board for AANDC education-related activities that communities should be aware of

The Education Advisor position is Karmen Smith.

GGC Education Advisor is working with GWES and the member Bands to finalize the Gitksan Education Policy for implementation with the affiliated communities.

GGC Advisor provides regular reports to the GGC Board and provides updates at the GGC Annual General Meeting reporting on the supports provided to the Bands and membership.  Karmen Smith is the GGC representative on the FNESC Strategic Action Committee – see FNESC for more information.

New Relationship Trust – Scholarships and Bursaries – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN BC SEPARATELY AND COLLECTIVELY TO MEET THEIR EDUCATION GOALS, AND TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS OF ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION. To apply for a scholarship or bursary, check this out!

Vancouver, BC – The New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRT Foundation), in partnership with New Relationship Trust (NRT), is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2018-19 Scholarships and Bursaries will soon open to First Nations students in British Columbia (BC)!  Apply online on Tuesday, April 17, 2018

NRT, the founding partner of the NRT Foundation, has committed $600,000 this year to provide the following Scholarships and Bursaries:

$20,000 for Doctorates

$10,000 for Masters

$5,000 for Bachelors
$2,000 for Certificates, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, and Trades Bursaries

Additional funding has also been secured from our funding partners that include the Province of BC, First Nations Health Authority, and additional partners are still coming in.

In 2006, the BC Government worked with First Nations leadership to create NRT, and gave $100 million to NRT to support capacity building initiatives, which include First Nations Scholarships and Bursaries. Since 2010, 1,955 Scholarship and Bursary awards totaling over $9.3 million have been given to students from First Nations in BC.

Indigenous Early Years Scholarships & Bursary Awards

The NRT Foundation and the Province of BC are proud to introduce the Indigenous Early Years (IEY) Scholarship & Bursary program. Interested and eligible Indigenous students should apply to the Indigenous Early Years Bursary program. NRTF is pleased to offer IEY Scholarships and Bursaries to students who currently reside in British Columbia and are enrolled in Early Years Education programs. The First Call for submissions to the Bursaries starts Tuesday, April 17, 2018, and the Second Call will start Thursday, August 13th, 2018.

IEY Award Eligibility:

Indigenous: First Nations, First People, Metis and Inuit people of Canada. Those who identify as Indigenous persons who are residents of British Columbia are eligible for the Indigenous Early Years Bursary Program in areas of study that align with early years professions including early childhood education, early intervention therapies and supports, and other para-professions.

Apply online on Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The NRT Foundation was created to ensure First Nations education awards continue in perpetuity. “The goal of the NRT Foundation is to create a $30 million endowment that will allow us to be self-sustaining so that students have funding options to turn to for generations. We always hear that post-secondary education of Indigenous people is vital – we have taken on the challenge and we are fully committed to supporting our families and to strengthening our communities,” explains Judith Sayers, Chair of the NRT Foundation.

“Eliminating financial barriers to post-secondary education will enable more First Nations students to embark on successful academic journeys,” said NRT CEO, Cliff Fregin. “Improving education outcomes for First Nations students will not only help them achieve their life goals and present them with greater employment opportunities, these students are also helping to strengthen First Nations communities and British Columbia as well.”