Community-Based Education Services:

Each Band is responsible for managing the ISC 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.

• Gitanyow Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by the Gitanyow Independent School Society;

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

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 ISC education-related activities that communities should be aware of.

The Education Advisor  is Monica Simms.

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.  Monica Simms is the GGC representative on the FNESC Board – see https://www.fnesc.ca/ 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!

How to Apply

Click the Apply for a Scholarship or Bursary below and follow the instructions.

Contacts

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.

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.”

GGC Education policy August 1 2023