Lifelong Learning: Early Childhood Development (ECD) - Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K12)

Introduction

The November 13-14, 2004 Sectoral Follow-up Session on Lifelong Learning (Early Childhood Development, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ECD and K-12)) was the second in a series of sessions intended to fulfill the commitment made by Prime Minister Paul Martin at the conclusion of the April 19, 2004 Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable on Strengthening the Relationship. The sectoral sessions are intended to explore new and innovative ideas through which the Government of Canada and National Aboriginal Leaders can work together to close the quality of life gap between Aboriginal Peoples and all Canadians. In addition to two Lifelong Learning sessions (ECD and K-12; Post Secondary Education and Skills Development), sectoral sessions will also address Health, Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations and Accountability for Results.

Following the distribution of the report on the April 19, 2004 Canada–Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable, the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat (AAS) within the Privy Council Office (PCO) established an overall Planning Committee to develop the proposed Sectoral Follow-up Sessions. The Planning Committee is comprised of five National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN); the Métis National Council (MNC); the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK); the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP); and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC); as well as key federal departments and agencies that serve as lead departments or have related responsibilities, including Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC); Health Canada (HC); Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Industry Canada; Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS); and provincial and territorial officials.

A planning sub-committee chaired by the lead department, in this case the INAC, and comprised of a similar combination of federal, Aboriginal and provincial/territorial members, applied the overall session planning guidelines to the particular needs of the education field. The planning subcommittee responsibilities included the following:

• identify policy priority topics, launch questions and the agenda to guide discussions at the session;
• develop background papers to provide participants with an overview of key issues (available on-line);
• select participants and observers (officials); and
• review of the Facilitators’ Report on the session.

The five NAOs were given the opportunity to select 10 participants (i.e. five core and five sectoral experts) from their organizations and/or communities at all levels. The participants list (Annex B) indicates that there were approximately 106 participants at the Lifelong Learning ECD and K-12 Sectoral Session. Both Aboriginal and government members of the planning subcommittee were designated as observing officials, who attended to provide support to their selected participants and report back on the discussions. Each NAO had three officials, the federal government had up to 15 officials and the provincial and territorial governments divided a total of 15 seats. There were a reported 27 officials.

The Lifelong Learning Sectoral Session on ECD and K-12 was designed to bring experts and practitioners together to address the specific session objectives established by the Planning Committee which were to:

Develop a shared definition of success and recommended actions to achieve progress in ECD and K-12 priority policy areas (i.e. jurisdiction and control; access and integration; capacity building and sustainability; and research and curriculum development) relative to Inuit, Métis, First Nations and crosscutting themes (i.e. urban, women, northern/remote). Seek joint commitment to an improved relationship among all stakeholders and a collaborative systems approach to improved ECD and K-12 outcomes, including delivery mechanisms and results-based performance measures.

The results from the technical level discussions at the Sectoral Session are contained in this Facilitators’ Report. The report is based on flip chart notes prepared by the participants and facilitators during the session and on a template/report outline approved by the Planning Committee. All flip chart notes were transcribed verbatim and are contained in the web-link to Annex C of this report. As a practical matter, it is not possible to reflect every idea placed on the flip charts during the breakout group in the narrative of this report. The facilitation team has attempted to draft the report in a manner that highlights the content of the flip charts as succinctly and objectively as possible. As a result, this report should be read in tandem with the detailed ideas contained in the flip chart notes.

As well, discussion at the session built on the content of the background papers prepared in advance of the Lifelong Learning Sectoral Session. In specific cases this meant that recommendations that were included in the discussion papers were not always expanded on or discussed in the breakout session. It is therefore essential that this report be read in conjunction with the background papers.

All Facilitators’ Reports from the Sectoral Follow-up Sessions, and the Facilitators’ Final roll-up Report are intended to support and inform ongoing discussions leading to:

• a spring 2005 policy retreat between the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, national Aboriginal leaders, and provincial/territorial representatives ^{[ 1 ]}; and
• the fall 2005 First Ministers Meeting (FMM) on Aboriginal Issues.It is also anticipated that the participating governments and organizations may develop their own reports and analysis of the sectoral sessions. It is also understood that the brainstorming at the sectoral session in no way commits any particular government or organization to a discussion on any particular idea at upcoming political level forums.

1. Discussions are ongoing with provinces and territories regarding their participation in the planned spring policy retreat and this matter will be clarified as work proceeds toward this proposed initiative.

Table of Contents

The documentation contained on this website does not necessarily represent the views of any government or National Aboriginal Organization. The purpose of this website is to share information related to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable: background papers, Facilitator's sectoral and final reports, agendas and media announcements.

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