Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and Resources

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA), First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), and Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) have shared information to support First Nations in BC.

With the health and well-being of schools and communities as our highest priority, FNESC staff are currently providing services through a virtual format, with events and workshops taking place online. We will continue to provide news, resources, and organizational updates as public health guidance evolves. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

FNSA, FNESC and IAHLA fully respect the authority of individual First Nations to make decisions about school and institute operations in the best interests of their students, schools, and communities.

Organizational Updates and Responses

08/11/2021 Finalized K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies
07/10/2021 Revised First Nations Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
01/10/2021 New Public Health Mask Guidance
03/09/2021 Planning Resources for First Nations Schools
24/08/2021 New Public Health Guidance for K-12 Settings
15/07/2021 Update on Return to Campus Guidelines for Public Post-Secondary Institutions
09/07/2021 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools: Outlook for the 2021-22 School Year
08/07/2021 Update on K-12 Recovery and September Planning for Public and Non-First Nation Independent Schools
01/06/2021 COVID-19 Planning Resource: Graduation
27/05/2021 Recording of Post-secondary Virtual Town Hall with Dr. Bonnie Henry
12/05/2021 New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions, and Provincial Health Officer Workplace and Post-Secondary Institution Safety Order
26/04/2021 First Nations can apply for grants to address COVID-related learning loss. Apply by May 28, 2021.
22/04/2021 COVID-19 School Rapid Response Team Support Available to First Nations Schools
16/04/2021 Updated COVID-19 Supplies Offer for First Nations Schools
01/04/2021 Updated Mask Guidance for K-12 Schools, March 30, 2021
30/03/2021 Update for IAHLA Institutes re: New COVID-19 Province-wide Restrictions in Place Until April 19, 2021
16/03/2021 Update to PSE Coordinators re: the Return to On-Campus Learning this September
12/03/2021 Update to Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association Institutes
09/03/2021 Update on the $8.2M in Federal Safe Return to Class Funds for BC First Nations
02/03/2021 Updated FNESC/FNSA First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
25/02/2021 Updated Ministry of Education Guidance for K-12 Schools
11/02/2021 Provincial Supply Hub Bulk Pricing Announcement
08/02/2021 Updated Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
11/12/2020 New Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions Q&As for First Nations Schools
07/12/2020 Ministry of Education K-12 Sector Questions and Answers Re: New Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions
27/10/2020 COVID-19 Funding Resources Update
20/10/2020 BCANDS Indigenous Support for Student Learning Program – Technology Support
16/10/2020 COVID-19 Supply Hub Inventory Update
25/09/2020 Updated First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
22/09/2020 Protocols for Management of Illness and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, First Nation Schools
18/09/2020 Updated COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Provincial Health Guidelines for K-12 School Settings
10/09/2020 Health and Safety Orientation Checklist for First Nation Schools
04/09/2020 School Reopening Grants for BC First Nation Schools
21/08/2020 Ministry of Education COVID-19 Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School Authorities
20/08/2020 First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
19/08/2020 Updates to Ministry of Education’s Restart Plan, Funding for First Nation Schools, WorkSafeBC Protocols, and Available Personal Protective Equipment
31/07/2020 School Restart Information: Supports for First Nations and First Nation Schools
15/06/2020 Extended Reporting Deadlines, FNESC/FNSA Programs
29/05/2020 Financial Support for PSE Students Specific to COVID-19
27/05/2020 Considerations for Re-Opening BC First Nation Schools
15/05/2020 Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
08/05/2020 Online Learning Resources and Privacy Considerations
01/05/2020 Supporting Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
27/04/2020 Edition 2, Suggestions for Continuous Learning
24/04/2020 Health and Hygiene Considerations for First Nations Schools
16/04/2020 Tripartite Communication re: LEAs, targeted funding and transportation funding
15/04/2020 Update to First Nations Leadership: Impact of COVID-19 on First Nations Education
14/04/2020 Suggestions for Families: Supporting Learning at Home
30/03/2020 Travel Claim Submission by Email and Electronic Funds Transfer
27/03/2020 Update from FNESC re Suggestions for Continuous Learning Phase 1
26/03/2020 Update for PSE Coordinators on the FNESC Resource Line, Payment of Living Allowance During Suspension of Classes and Emergency Assistance Funding
24/03/2020 School and Program Funding, Reporting Deadlines, and Continued Learning Opportunities
18/03/2020 Update from FNESC re Changes to Operations
17/03/2020 Update from FNESC and FNSA Boards re Suspension of Classes after March Break
16/03/2020 Update from FNESC to First Nations Schools and Communities, FNESC Services and Events Update
11/03/2020 Cancellation Notice, First Nations Schools Association Conference and AGM, Apr. 2-4, 2020
11/03/2020 Cancellation Notice, Provincial Meeting on First Nations Education Governance for First Nations Schools, Mar. 30, 2020