Objectives And Structure

The proposed objectives of the FNSA include:

	to promote quality education for First Nations learners;
	to maximize the use of resources for improving the quality of education being offered to First Nations students;
	to support the work of First Nations schools in developing and implementing culturally appropriate, meaningful, and quality educational programs;
	to provide a forum for networking, communication, and liaison amongst First Nations schools and other educational organizations and governments;
	to receive funds and assets from governments or any other source, and to apply such funds and assets to the attainment of the goals of the FNSA;
	to do all things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of its goals.

Membership

Membership in the FNSA will include:

	Members: First Nations schools. A membership committee exists to determine whether institutions which apply meet the membership criteria.
	Associate Members: individuals or organizations supporting the Terms of Reference of the FNSA can be non-voting members.
	Honorary Members: individuals who have made a significant contribution to the FNSA objectives can be appointed and will be voting members.

Currently, over 120 First Nations schools have joined the FNSA as Members, and over a dozen organizations have joined as Associate Members.

Partnerships

While the FNSA is an independent and non-partisan organization, it greatly benefits from the relationships it has with the education stakeholders such as those described below.

The First Nations Education Steering Committee
The FNSA’s oldest and closest partner is the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). FNESC is a non-profit society that shares the FNSA’s goal of promoting quality educational opportunities for First Nations learners, but its focus extends beyond First Nations schools to First Nations education more broadly, including the provincial public school system. FNESC and the FNSA work together to deliver programs and services to First Nations schools and communities, to conduct research, and to bring forward First Nations education concerns to inform government policy.
FNESC provides administrative support to the FNSA through a fee-for-service agreement.

The Aboriginal Education Partners Group
The FNSA is also an active member of the Aboriginal Education Partners Group – a body that includes the FNSA, FNESC, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the BC Ministry of Education (MoE), the BC Teachers’ Federation, the BC College of Teachers, the BC School Trustees Association, the BC School Superintendents Association, the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, the BC Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, the Métis Provincial Council of BC, and the United Native Nations Society. The Partners are committed to increasing the school success of Aboriginal K-12 students in BC, and they work toward this goal both collectively and through the work of their individual organizations including work in the area of anti-racism, employment equity, and Aboriginal teacher education and recruitment.

Other Key Partnerships
The Artists in Education (AIE) Program has introduced young people to the possibilities of a career in the arts and to build greater understanding between the school community and the arts community.

The FNSA’s partnership with Historica is opening opportunities to promote history education in First Nations schools through the Heritage Fairs program for grades 4-9.

More than 7500 First Nations students are members of the Seventh Generation Club. This unique club was established in 1997 to give First Nations learners the tools to set high educational goals and work to attain them, as well as to encourage school attendance, involvement in sports, and healthy choices. Day-to-day operation of the club is carried out by the FNSA and FNESC, with financial and in-kind support from the club partners - Historica, BC Hydro, INAC, the Vancouver Canucks, and Health Canada.

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