Implementing Indian control of education in Sandy Lake, Ontario
Date
1989
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Sandy Lake, a reserve in North-Western Ontario,
wished to assume control of its educational system, as
many Canadian Indian bands had done since the federal
government adopted the policy presented by the National
Indian Brotherhood in 1972 calling for Indian Control
of Indian Education. That policy advocated parental
involvement in education and control of education for
Indian children by Indian people.
This research focused on the requirements for
successful implementation of Indian control of Indian
Education. It reviewed implementation in two other
Indian Bands and investigated the current state of
readiness of the Sandy Lake Band, through interviews
with community residents. It analyzed the positive
forces within the community that could assist Sandy
Lake Band in the take-over process as well as the
negative forces that must be overcome.
Some members of the community were interested and
anxious to take control of education. They were
confident that Sandy Lake Band members had the required
desire and ability to do so. Generally, there was
increased community interest in having children do well
in school, and parental support for improved and
locally run school services. Several Indian teachers on staff had proven beneficial as role models, and
their presence had increased community satisfaction
with the curriculum, programming, and daily
administration of the school on the Reserve.
However, the majority of community members could
not perceive the magnitude nor implications of the
change to Indian control of their education. Residents
had limited comprehension of the present system and a
scarcity of skills required to make the change. There
was no agreement on the purpose of education and long
term goals were not defined. Those residents
interviewed were uncomfortable with the lack of local
financial stability and saw the negative impact of
mixing politics with education. Sandy Lake's isolation
from other reserves and other support systems hampered
steady progress towards take-over of the education
system.
Implementation will require a firm commitment from
the community to proceed within a specific time frame
and commitment from dedicated individuals to ensure
completion of this project. Stringent work plans,
financial controls, and accountability procedures will
have to be created. A community philosophy of
education and long and short term goals will have to be
developed. A dramatic increase in communication within the community is imperative. Community members will
need to contribute their time, energy, and wisdom in
order to make this change a success.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Department
College of Education
Program
College of Education