Hearing from Community about Education Governance and Pathways for High School
In our recent history, over the past three decades, Listuguj has been asserting and reclaiming education. Mi’gmaq of Listuguj have always shared, transferred, and built our knowledge systems. LETE is working to support the Community and Leadership’s efforts to strengthen all aspects of education.
Additionally, in 2016, Listuguj Chief and Council mandated LETE to review education governance structures (e.g., vision, mission, principles) to create a single structure for education. The LETE Management Team and staff began working on our new vision statement (below) and plans.
A group of innovators and forward-thinkers form the LETE Governance Team, which has since worked with staff and students to draft Mi’gmaw education standards and other forms of transformation in education.
The Governance Team has highlighted the spectrum of education services within our community, from Nursery to grade 8, adult and vocational training, to college and university programs. What Listuguj does not have is its own high school. With support from the Firelight Group, LETE conducted a community-wide survey in December of 2021, titled “Listuguj First Nation High School Education Survey”. The survey results summary report is available on our website.
Over 560 people participated in the survey. Overall, the survey found that:
Only 30% of respondents believe the provincial high school system is currently meeting the needs of community members.
Over 80% of respondents felt that establishing a high school in community could address some of these unmet needs.
Over 75% of respondents support Listuguj First Nation in establishing a high school.
LETE is working to protect Mi’gmaq Inherent and Treaty Rights, which includes control over Mi’gmaq systems of education. 77% of respondents overwhelmingly agreed that having a schooling system in community from kindergarten to grade 12 supports this vision of self-determination over education.
Community members felt it was important for LETE, Elders, youth, and community members more broadly to be involved in the governing structures of the school. Community priorities for this school include Mi’gmaq worldviews, culture, language, and land-based learning, which over 80% of respondents selected as ‘important’ or ‘very important’.
We are in the research and planning stages of this education governance initiative. We will be returning to the community with a summary report of our initial findings and asking for further feedback. We will need the community’s full support to bring this project to life. It’s time to get involved!