Governance
Introduction
The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Board of Directors has a vision for an accountable, well-governed and standardized education system built by and for First Nations. It is working closely with member nations to pursue sustainable funding and infrastructure. The long-term goal is to attain full jurisdiction over education in their communities.
In 2015, the STC created the Education Alliance to consult, plan, prepare for and implement this vision.
The Education Alliance is rooted in its member communities. The governance model and administrative structure actively promote community participation. This allows the Alliance to turn the values, principles, educational philosophy, ideas and goals into reality.
All governance decisions and actions are held up to the following principles:
- Stability
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Innovation
- Flexibility
- Responsiveness
- Standardization
- Efficiency
- Equity
Strategic Educational Framework
The STC’s Convention Act (2018) and Education Political Accord (2018) requires an education framework to determine how communities govern, manage, and administer education programs, services, partnerships, and initiatives.
The Strategic Education Framework outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Alliance, the STC and member First Nations. It creates the necessary structure for an accountable system and serves as the foundation for an accountable, transparent, equitable education system, operating within the principles of good governance.
The framework:
- Covers jurisdiction, structure, funding and educational philosophy
- Supports local control of education
- Promotes Indigenous languages and culture
- Professionalizes the operation of schools, allowing us to achieve efficiencies through economies of scale
- Ensures effective governance, and
- Places a priority on continuous improvement of educational practices and outcomes.
- Creates a clear separation between the political and administrative functions in delivering education to communities, protecting the independence of managers and leaders.