Atlantic Native Teachers' Education Conference
May 19-21, 2010

Milestones for Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey (Mi'kmaw Education)

On April 22, 1999 a federal Order-In-Council brought force to Bill C-30, the Mi'kmaq Education Act and a provincial Order-In-Council brought force to Bill No. 4, the Mi'kmaq Education Act. These two pieces of legislation are firsts of their kind in Canada and mark the final steps of the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia in returning jurisdiction for education on-reserve, to First Nations in Nova Scotia, a process that has been underway since 1992.

Nine Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq First Nations have opted to participate in the legislation: Eskasoni, Membertou, Chapel Island, Whycocomagh, Wagmatcook, Pictou Landing, Shubenacadie, Annapolis Valley and Acadia. The remaining four First Nations in Nova Scotia can opt to participate in the future.

This legislation gives force to a Final Agreement signed on February 14, 1997 by the nine Mi'kmaq First Nations, the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia.

The Final Agreement defines the nature and scope of jurisdiction transferred including control over elementary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary education student support. It also sets out the powers, duties, functions and structures of the Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey (Mi'kmaw Education). First Nations communities are in the final stages of adopting constitutions to ensure a fair, open and transparent process when exercising their powers, duties and functions with respect to education.

Activities that led to the passing of Bill C-30 and Bill No. 4 include:

January 1991 - The Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs approached DIAND and proposed that a Mi'kmaq Education Authority be established to assume total program control of First Nations education in Nova Scotia.

April 1992 - A Framework Agreement to negotiate the devolution of DIAND education programs to Nova Scotia First Nations was signed by the federal government and the 13 Mi'kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia.

June 1993 - The 13 Mi'kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia changed their initial request for devolution of DIAND programming to a transfer of Canada's jurisdiction over First Nations education.

February and September 1994 - The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development met with Nova Scotia Chiefs and agreed to negotiate the delegation of federal jurisdiction of education on reserve to the Mi'kmaq.

November 4, 1994 - Thirteen Mi'kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development signed a Political Accord committing all parties to negotiate the transfer of jurisdiction for education to the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia.

October 1995 - February 1996 - Consultations were held with the Province of Nova Scotia on the Mi'kmaq education initiative.

December 15, 1995 - The Mi'kmaq Education Authority changed its name to Mi'kmaw Kina'masuti.

January 29 - March 26, 1996 - Consultation meetings were held with members of the First Nations throughout Nova Scotia to ensure First Nations people were informed of the education initiative.

February 28, 1996 - The Mi'kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia and the federal government developed an initial draft Agreement-in-Principle.

May 3, 1996 - Mi'kmaq Chiefs, Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia signed an Agreement-in-Principle to negotiate a Final Agreement that transferred jurisdiction for Mi'kmaq education to the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia.

May 1996 - December 1996 - The Final Agreement and funding arrangements were negotiated.

November 18 - December 6, 1996 - Community information sessions were held.

December 1996 - The communities consented to the Final Agreement.

December 19, 1996 - A Tripartite Agreement was finalized by Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Mi'kmaq First Nations of Nova Scotia affirming the province's acknowledgment of Mi'kmaq jurisdiction for education on reserve in Nova Scotia.

January 1997 - The community ratification process was completed.

February 14, 1997 - Nine of the 13 Mi'kmaq communities, Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia signed a Final Agreement at Chapel Island First Nation.

June 1997 - Mi'kmaq Chiefs determined that, for clarity, the name Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey would be more appropriate; therefore, it was established as the official name.

February 6, 1998 - First Reading in the House of Commons of Bill C-30, the proposed Act.

May 1, 1998 - Second Reading in the House of Commons of Bill C-30.

May 26, 1998 - The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development held hearings on Bill C-30.

June 1, 1998 - The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development tabled its report to the House of Commons on proposed Bill C-30 with no amendments.

June 10, 1998 - Third Reading in the House of Commons of Bill C-30.

June 11, 1998 - The House of Commons voted in favour of Bill-C30.

June 11, 1998 - First Reading in the Senate of Bill C-30.

June 16, 1998 - Second Reading in the Senate of Bill C-30.

June 18, 1998 - Third Reading in the Senate of Bill C-30.

June 18, 1998 - Bill C-30 given Royal Assent.

October 22, 1998 - Second Reading in the Nova Scotia Provincial Legislature of Bill No. 4.

November 17, 1998 - Third Reading in the Nova Scotia Provincial Legislature of Bill No. 4.

December 3, 1998 - Bill No. 4 given Royal Assent.

April 22, 1999 - Governor General of Canada signs Order-in-Council, proclaiming Mi'kmaq Education Act as federal law.

View entire Mi'kmaq Education Act on Department of Justice Canada site.

April 22, 1999 - Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia signs Order-In-Council, proclaiming Mi'kmaq Education Act as provincial law.