Yukon First Nations visit B.C. First Nation run schools

Yukon First Nations are looking for ways to improve education for Indigenous students, including the possibility of dedicated schools.

Delegates from the federal, territorial and First Nation governments in Yukon recently toured five Indigenous schools in British Columbia. They saythey got a first-hand look at the importance of immersion and culture-based education.

The delegates visited four on-reserve schools and one public Indigenous school in the Okanaganregion.

The Chiefs Committee on Education (CCOE), an independent body that advocates for First Nations education in Yukon,and the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) say their goal is see Indigenous students succeed in school.

"We really need to start educating our next generation in regards to what the opportunities are there,the challenges, and the importance of building that proper capacity when it comes to truly self-governing your nation on behalf of your people," said CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston.

He says onegoalis eventually to have a Yukon First Nations school.

"You know, we have the Catholic along with the French schoolsas options for our students. It would be excellent to see a First Nation-run school that could be an option given to everyone here in the territory," said Johnston.

"It would be based on these curriculums, our learning and teaching methods that we use season by season."

Johnston says he'd also like to see more of a First Nations presence in Yukon'sschools, not just cultural artifacts hanging on the walls.

Kluane First Nation Chief Bob Dickson is the chair of the CCOE. He says it's clear that the education system hasn't been meeting the needs of Indigenous students in Yukon.

"We had two auditor general reports that say it's not working, so we need to look for other options of how to have success in our communities for our children," Dickson said.

A federalauditor general's reporton education in Yukon this year described how the territorialgovernment has not done enough to improve outcomes for Indigenous and rural students, or to figure out why they're more likely to fall behind and drop out.

Dickson says he was impressed by how much culture and language were being used by students and teachers in the B.C. Indigenous schools.