Kinoomaadziwin Education Body

Kinoomaadziwin Education Body
Type	Organization
Founded	2010

Kinoomaadziwin Education Body is the administrative body for the Anishinabek Education System.

In Anishinabek News

• March 2016: This body will receive education funds from Canada and distribute them to participating First Nations. It will be composed of two representatives from each of the five Regional Education Councils. Participating First Nations will be financially accountable to this organization.
• March 2016: The Anishinabek Nation Grand Council mandated this body in 2012 to establish the Anishinabek Education System. The board includes representatives from various communities, including Pays Plat.
• April 2016: This organization is intended to drive the development of curriculum focused on culture, history, and language. It is part of the process involving the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement.
• June 2016: Charles Shawanda served as a board representative for this organization's Regional Education Council #3 on Manitoulin Island. The board planned to honour the dedication of Charles Shawanda following his death in 2016.
• November 2016: This body will function as a school board for participating First Nations. It will include a coordinator and an assistant appointed from a regional council. The regional council overseeing it will be composed of representatives from each participating First Nation's education authority.
• June 2017: The board of directors participated in a regional meeting at Nbisiing Secondary School to prepare for the 2018 effective date of the Anishinabek Education System. The organization works at a provincial level with the Ministry of Education to implement a multi-year action plan.
• July 2017: The organization was incorporated in January 2011. In July 2017, Nipissing First Nation was selected to house the organization within its territory. The body functions similarly to a school board, establishing policies, standards, and guidelines for First Nations schools. It provides advice and support to First Nations rather than directing them.
• July 2017: This organization will be headquartered at Nipissing First Nation following a competitive bidding process. It is responsible for supporting the education priorities of participating communities and overseeing the Anishinabek Education System. The body will house approximately 12 staff members in a dedicated building expected to be finished in fall 2018.
• October 2017: The organization released a statement in October 2017 regarding the responsibilities of the Director of Education.
• December 2017: The organization worked alongside technical staff and leadership to guide Bill C-61 through the legislative process. Board members from the body attended the Senate sessions in December 2017 to support the bill's passage.
• December 2017: Representatives from the organization attended a Senate Committee meeting in December 2017 to provide submissions regarding Bill C-61. The body was approved by a 2010 Grand Council Resolution and is governed by a 12-member board from four regional councils. The organization is responsible for implementing the Anishinabek Education System and will liaise with the province of Ontario once the system is operational.
• March 2018: The organization's Director of Education attended a forum in Toronto on February 27-28, 2018, to discuss educational priorities. The body supports 23 participating First Nations in partnership with Ontario and Canada.
• April 2018: The board of this organization is responsible for supporting 23 participating communities in delivering education programs. The organization was approved by Grand Council Resolution in 2010 and is governed by a 12-member board. The body serves as a liaison with the Province of Ontario regarding education matters.
• July 2018: The Board of Directors met in May 2018 to develop a new vision, mission statement, and strategic objectives for the organization. The organization held its Annual General Membership meeting on June 5, 2018, at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay. As of July 2018, a new head office for the organization was being established in Nipissing First Nation.
• October 2018: The organization opened its new head office in Nipissing First Nation on October 2, 2018. It is managed by a 12-member Board of Directors and oversees the implementation of education agreements with Canada and Ontario. The body serves as the central administrative unit for the Anishinabek Education System.
• September 2019: The organization hosted the announcement of the Reciprocal Education Approach at its office in Nipissing First Nation. Chair Catherine Pawis participated in the historic announcement alongside provincial ministers in September 2019.
• December 2019: James R. Marsden suggested this organization should review the Navajo Nation Department of Diné Education to improve language survival initiatives. The body was encouraged to look at the Navajo Sovereignty in Education Act as a model for prioritizing Indigenous language instruction.
• October 2020: The organization manages education relationships with Canada and Ontario on behalf of participating First Nations. It is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors. The body appointed Bryon Brisard to lead its day-to-day administration and strategic priorities in late 2020.
• February 2021: Muriel Sawyer served as an initial member of this organization during its setup phase. The body is responsible for implementing the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement on behalf of 23 participating First Nations.
• June 2021: The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors and receives direction from Participating First Nations. It manages educational relationships with Canada and Ontario to support the implementation of educational priorities. In May 2021, the body hired Christine Dokis to lead its daily administration and act as its primary spokesperson.
• June 2021: The organization provided a presentation to youth during the Share Your Gifts – Maada'ookiin g'miingwewzinan- Youth Gathering on Well-Being.
• December 2021: The organization hosted a visioning session and a gathering for 23 participating First Nations in late November 2021. It received feedback on its draft five-year strategic plan and updates on projects like a self-governance funding formula. The board of directors for this body oversees administration and reports to member communities at regional and annual meetings.
• December 2021: The organization signed a three-year, $7.9 million agreement with Ontario in December 2021 to support student achievement. It is led by a 14-member Board of Directors and takes direction from Participating First Nations. The body manages relationships with the governments of Canada and Ontario. The body works with Ontario to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
• July 2022: The Kinoomaadziwin Education Body criticized the removal of Indigenous science content, noting it creates barriers to developing reciprocal curriculum based in reconciliation. The organization is a signatory to the Master Education Agreement which supports collaboration on curriculum development with Ontario.
• April 2023: This organization hosted the eighth annual Niigaan Gdizhaami Forum in April 2023. It is led by a 14-member Board of Directors and manages education relationships with Canada and Ontario. The body supports the implementation of educational priorities for participating First Nations.
• May 2023: The body partnered with the Anishinabek Nation to develop culturally relevant teaching tools for the Ontario curriculum. It aims to provide teachers and students with resources to understand the significance of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin.
• December 2023: The organization is a partner in the strategic plan to update data on Anishinaabemowin speakers.
• December 2023: Legal counsel Tracey O'Donnell represented the organization on a panel during a health transformation working group meeting.
• April 2024: This organization partnered with the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee and the Anishinabek Nation's Anishinaabemowin Department to organize a language meeting in 2024.
• April 2024: The organization partnered with the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee to host a language revitalization meeting in Little Current. Its Language Strategy Project Coordinator participated in panel discussions regarding successful language learning feedback from students.
• May 2024: The organization is led by a 14-member board and takes direction from participating First Nations. It supports the implementation of educational priorities and manages education relationships with Canada and Ontario.
• July 2024: The organization participated in the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Anishinabek Educational Institute by hosting an information booth.
• October 2024: The organization serves 23 of the 39 member communities within the Anishinabek Nation. On October 25, 2024, the body announced a new funding agreement with the Government of Canada providing over $20 million annually. The funding is intended to support education infrastructure and governance for approximately 2,000 students.
• November 2024: The organisation employs Tammy Desmoulin as the coordinator for the Niigaan Gdizhaami Fund.
• November 2024: The organization partnered with Anishinabek Employment and Training Services to host the Mshkiki gathering. The event provided traditional knowledge and cultural teachings to participants in Thunder Bay.
• February 2025: The organization's process encouraged Long Lake #58 First Nation to reclaim control over its schooling. Its role was a primary topic during the first day of a 2025 governance summit.
• March 2025: The organization's processes helped Long Lake #58 reclaim control over the education of their children.
• August 2025: The organization works with 23 First Nations to manage educational resources and governance. Judy Desmoulin was a key early participant in the development of this body.
• October 2026: The organization hosted the Sharing for Success Education Conference 2026 in Thunder Bay. Staff from the body coordinated specialized learning sessions for teachers and educators during the event.
• October 2026: The organization coordinated the Youth Fall Gathering held on October 6-7, 2026, in Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay. It hosted the Sharing for Success Education Conference 2026 at Fort William Historical Park.