The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre claims teachings at the Tsawalk Learning Centre, which don't fit a traditional curriculum, would end if the program is transferred into SD68. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

transfer

Indigenous groups worry about learning centres transferring into SD68

Mar 1, 2021 | 5:34 AM

NANAIMO — A ministerial order moving two Indigenous learning programs into the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District is causing concern for the organizations involved.

An order from former education minister Rob Fleming given in May 2020 directed for the transfer of two programs – Nisaika Kum’tuks Learning Centre run by the Mid-Island Metis Nation and Tsawalk Learning Centre run by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre – into SD68 from SD84 by June 30, 2021.

The programs were initially set up and publicly funded through SD84 after negotiations to fund them within SD68 were unsuccessful more than seven years ago.

Chris Beaton, executive director of the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re concerned about staff employment ending, budgets being slashed and a lack of community consultation about the move.

He said the budget for Tsawalk Learning Centre, still within SD84, was cut after the school district agreed to the transfer. This resulted in 60 Indigenous students being enrolled instead of 99.

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“(It) leaves us with the belief there isn’t going to be a seamless transition of these programs,” Beaton said.

Tsawalk traditionally educates secondary students while Nisaika Kum’tuks educates elementary students. Students who would have fallen through the cracks within the school system are taught an individual curriculum focusing less on traditional academics and more on experiential and cultural learnings.

Joy Bremner, president of the Mid-Island Metis Nation, said students are enrolled in their programs because they couldn’t find a home anywhere else, including SD68.

“Many of our students likely wouldn’t go back to a different model, whereas right now they’re attending and succeeding. Once that becomes apparent, you can’t walk way from that.”

“They’ve found something in these programs that connects for them and engages them in their learning. What more do we want for our young people?” Beaton asked.

The budget for the two programs combined equals roughly $2 million, according to Beaton.

Both programs are now trying to become independent schools, which brings many new challenges.

In B.C., an independent school’s maximum funding is 50 per cent of operating costs, leaving a $1 million shortfall for the organizations.

“We don’t have the luxury in our community to be charging anywhere between $8,000 to $15,000 per student,” Beaton said.

With on-reserve Indigenous schools fully funded by the province, Beaton said they hope the province can fund what he believed would be the first urban Indigenous school in B.C.

“Shy of an agreement with SD68 to maintain the programs as they currently exist in the same locations and same staff, we believe a transition to an independent school, fully funded, is a seamless transition and the best outcome for everyone,” Beaton said.

The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre is currently in stage three of receiving its license to operate independent schools. An interim license is expected in March.

“Then we hope to sit down with the Ministry and talk about funding for this new model and for the Ministry to really see the uniqueness of the model we’ve administered for the last seven years,” Beaton said.

A report about both programs said 14 people graduated from Tsawalk within three years.

SD68 has convened a program transition committee to conduct meetings about the transfer of programs.

Board chair Charlene McKay told NanaimoNewsNOW the school district has made great strides to reverse their plummeting Indigenous grad rates.

“We’ve developed an internal process to ensure we know how our Indigenous kids are progressing towards graduation. There’s regular contact between the Indigenous Education Department and secondary school principals that helps support our Indigenous students through their grade-to-grade transitions.”

The grad rates for Indigenous students rose from 52 per cent in the 2016/2017 year to 69 per cent by the 2019/2020 year, bringing the school district in line with the provincial average for Indigenous graduate successes.

McKay also touted the Learning Alternatives program, which operates similarly to the Tsawalk and Nisaika Kum’tuks programs.

“When we have programs like Learning Alternatives, students can continue their path to graduation.”

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt