Memorandum of Understanding for N’Swakamok Native Alternative School

N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre President Barbara Stevens-Burns, left, and Rainbow District School Board Chair Judy Hunda signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School. Looking on, from left, are Jean Hanson, Director of Education, Rainbow District School Board; Marie Meawasige, Executive Director, N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, Kelly-Lee Assinewe, Native Education Support Worker and N’Swakamok Native Alternative School teachers Jody Nadjiwon, Ian Crawford and Judy Angeloff.

N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre President Barbara Stevens-Burns and Rainbow District School Board Chair Judy Hunda signed a Memorandum of Understanding today for the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School, renewing a long-time partnership. The N’Swakamok Native Alternative School offers programs for Native students at the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury.

“Rainbow District School Board and the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre recognize the need to provide culturally relevant services and options to Native students who wish to obtain a high school diploma,” said Rainbow District School Board Director of Education, Jean Hanson. “The Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms our collective commitment to Aboriginal youth.”

She added: “This agreement acknowledges and supports the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School Program with a purpose to develop, support, implement and evaluate a process for improved educational opportunities for Native students who reside in the City of Greater Sudbury.”

The N’Swakamok Native Alternative School operates as a satellite of Sudbury Secondary School in partnership with the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre. The Friendship Centre provides the facility and two staff members – a Native Education Support Worker and a Clerical Support Worker. Rainbow District School Board provides the teaching staff.

To attend the school First Nations, Métis and Inuit students must be a minimum of 16 years old and out of school for a period of time. Students work at their own pace on independent learning courses modified to include Native content. Students receive one-on-one assistance from teachers.

The N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre provides a warm and friendly environment where students have access to all other programs and services offered within the Centre. The N’Swakamok Native Alternative School also offers an adult literacy program providing Native adults with an opportunity to upgrade their literacy and numeracy skills so they can one day successfully complete credit courses towards their secondary school diploma.

The Ministry of Education has identified Native education as a key priority in Ontario, aimed at improving student achievement for all Native students, including status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and youth. The vision is to create a better future for Native children and youth in Ontario.

The Memorandum of Understanding will have a direct impact on students by strengthening educational opportunities and increasing the pathways available to Aboriginal students to complete their secondary school diploma or successfully connect with postsecondary education, apprenticeships and/or the workplace.  The agreement also provides for support services to address the concerns of Aboriginal students to ensure educational success for all.

The Memorandum of Understanding supports the vision of the Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework:

“First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students in Ontario will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to successfully complete their elementary and secondary education in order to pursue postsecondary education or training and/or to enter the workforce. They will have the traditional and contemporary knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be socially contributive, politically active, and economically prosperous citizens of the world. All students in Ontario will have knowledge and appreciation of contemporary and traditional First Nation, Métis, and Inuit traditions, cultures, and perspectives.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.