First Nation Advisory Committee


Who are we?

Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation           
Sheguiandah First Nation
Whitefish River First Nation
M’Chigeeng First Nation
Sheshegwaning First Nation
Zhiibaahaasing First Nation
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Whitefish Lake First Nation)
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
Dokis First Nation
Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Wahnapitae First Nation


First Nations Advisory Committee (FNAC)

The Board’s First Nation Advisory Committee (FNAC) is in place to:

  • to make recommendations to the board in respect to any matter affecting the establishment, development and delivery of programs and services for First Nation pupils of the board;
  • to review the financial statements and tuition agreements of the board as they relate to First Nation tuition agreements
  • to monitor progress in incorporating the seven social factors as identified in tuition agreements into Rainbow District School Board plans and programs
  • to provide First Nations people an effective voice in determining relevant educational programs and services for students of First Nations ancestry, and
  • to increase all students’ knowledge, awareness, understanding, and appreciation of First Nations people and their history and cultures. 

A Partnership

The parties to education service agreements, have entered into an understanding to:

  • increase school success of First Nations learners,
  • honour and support the language, culture, and history of the First Nations people whose territories are served by the School Board,
  • increase knowledge and understanding of First Nations people,
  • build awareness of the important issues that affect First Nations learners in our schools,
  • bring about positive change for all students.
This understanding is built on the fundamental beliefs that First Nations people are integral to the social fabric of Canada and that educational opportunities and success for First Nations learners are of vital concern for all partners in education.

There is an explicit acknowledgment that Aboriginal learners are not experiencing school success in Ontario. The intention is to work together within the mandates of our respective organizations to improve school success for Aboriginal learners in the RDSB through the strategic plan of the FNAC.

Fundamental to the successful implementation are the following:

  1. Train all Rainbow District School Board, administration and staff to better understand and gain knowledge of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
  2. The faculty should have the knowledge that the worldview and culture of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people is embedded in their native language
  3. Acknowledgement by all staff of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit people and their cultures as distinct from non-Aboriginal cultures. Acknowledgement of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit contributions to the Canadian culture.
  4. The infusion of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people and cultures through curriculum and the school life in the Rainbow District School Board.
  5. Understanding by all staff that student success is based on a balance of body, mind, soul and spirit.
  6. The priorities of student retention and parent/community involvement.