First Nations Schools Association

FNSA Programs & Initiatives

The First Nations Schools Association, in partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee, administers the following major programs:

FRIENDS for Life

The FNSA, in partnership with First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), will continue to provide training sessions for parents and teachers of grade 4 and 5 students in First Nations schools.

The FRIENDS program, developed in Australia, is a school-based program demonstrated to be effective in reducing the risk of anxiety disorders and building resilience in children. Schools represent ideal settings in which to detect early symptoms of anxiety and to equip children with coping skills and other tools to cope with and manage problem situations. It is an early intervention, anxiety prevention program designed for teachers and school counselors to use with all grade 4 and 5 students.

FRIENDS for Life Youth Program for grade 7 started in 2008-2009 . It is intended to be a continuation of the children's version of the program.
FRIENDS Brochure
FRIENDS Program Website
Child and Youth Mental Health Website

Training
FNESC/FNSA hosted a very successful training session in January 2010 for parents and teachers of children attending First Nations schools. The training encompassed both the children and youth versions of the program.

First Nations school staff are invited to attend local training sessions that have been scheduled by the FRIENDS Program within MCFD. For a listing of scheduled training sessions click here.
FRIENDS Invitation

Parent Sessions
In 2009-2010, FNESC/FNSA and the MCFD will continue to further support the parent component of the FRIENDS for Life program in First Nations schools. A member of the F.O.R.C.E. (Families Organized for the Recognition of Care Equality) will be available to assist in the planning and running of the first parent session in the program. The requests for support will be available after each of the training sessions listed above.
Parent Letter
Workbook Order Form

Program Feedback
In an effort to determine the effectiveness of the FRIENDS for Life Program in First Nations schools, we are asking that all schools that participated in the training and who are implementing the program in their classrooms complete the attached feedback forms. One form is a request for teacher feedback, one is a request for parent feedback and the other is a request for student feedback. Please fax or mail these back to the FNESC office (604-925-6097).
Teacher Feedback Form
Parent Feedback Form
Student Feedback Form

Useful Links
The F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids Mental Health
Anxiety BC
Here to Help
Visions Journal Publications

New Publication: Teaching in a First Nations School

FNSA Publications

Lending Library

Documents on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download free by clicking here.

If your Club would like to organize an event with the local school, we have created some posters and invitations that you can download from the web. That way, you can just add a few details about your event and you will be ready to print the materials you need to let parents know what’s happening!

Click here to download posters for:

Arts & Crafts Evenings

Fun and Games Evenings

Movie Nights

Reading Fun Evening

Simply print off the poster and fill in your own details at the bottom. Send them home to parents or display them in your schools and communities!