Snc’c’amala?tn | Early Childhood Education Centre

Nkmaplqs i snmamayatn ikl sqilxwtet | Cultural Immersion School

New School Construction Project

Language and Culture Program

Language Nest

Employment and Training/OTDC

Indigenous Labour Market Inventory

Making a Donation

Transportation Assistance application (new)

Elementary and Secondary School Supply Allowance form (Updated August 20th, 2024)

Consent to Release Information for Elementary and Secondary Students

School District 22 (Vernon) and the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) have entered into their second Local Education Agreement (LEA). This agreement will focus on the collaborative efforts needed to support the students and families of the Okanagan Indian Band.

For the past seven months, renewed relationships and efforts have resulted in School District 22 and the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) co-creating an agreement to build effective working relationships and strategies that will provide wrap-around supports for Okanagan Indian Band students and families. The agreement serves as a guide, setting out specific goals and outlining the respective roles in improving educational outcomes and graduation rates.

Local Education Agreements apply to on-reserve students for the purchase of programs and services by First Nations. The Local Education Agreement is negotiated locally with the goal of reflecting the unique priorities of individual First Nations. Topics of negotiation can include funding, transportation, sharing information and data, culture, language, as well as other local priorities.

“The Local Education Agreement will help improve our students’ success,” said Byron Louis, Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band. “LEAs result in better grades, increased Dogwood completion rates, and smoother transitions to post-secondary education, training, or employment.”

“Education is key to true and lasting reconciliation, and through this LEA, we want to support Okanagan Indian Band students in being confident in their self-identity, their traditional values, their Syilx language, and culture,” says Board of Education Chair, Gen Acton. “We want OKIB students to graduate, excel, and pursue their passions.”

The School District 22 (Vernon) Board of Education is committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (2015), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and the B.C. Declaration (2019), the provincial Standards for B.C. Educators – Standard 9 (2019), and the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning.

A formal celebration of the LEA signing will take place post-COVID 19 restrictions. To review the Local Education Agreement (LEA) visit our website at: www.sd22.bc.ca under the Board of Education tab.

You can read the entire Local Education Agreement here.

For more information contact:

Chief Byron Louis at [email protected]
or
Board Chair, Gen Acton [email protected]

Tanya Saddleman-Joe
A/Director, Education, Language and Culture
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-241-1872

Lacey Gregoire
Education Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-309-9771

Kevin Smeltzer
School Liaison Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-241-2442

Kaity Laverman
Employment and Training Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-241-7078

Applications for Post Secondary funding are due February 28.

For more information please contact Lacey Gregoire 250-309-9771