NationTalk: Saguenay – The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) is proud to announce that Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) has formally recognized the knowledge and competencies of the FNEC’s training program Foundations in Teaching in a First Nations Context in its undergraduate programs leading to a teaching certificate. Students who successfully complete the training program will earn three credits for an elective. This recognition reflects UQAC’s commitment to promoting and developing Indigenous education and traditional knowledge.
The purpose of the Foundations in Teaching in a First Nations Context training program is to equip teachers working in FNEC member communities with the skills they need to teach, even if they don’t have a teaching certificate. In keeping with FNEC’s vision and the First Nations perspective on lifelong learning, the training program provides teachers with the opportunity to refine and add to their pedagogical toolbox, while supplementing their existing knowledge.
Inspired by the professional competencies of Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec, the skills in the Foundations in Teaching in a First Nations Context program are shaped and adapted according to the FNEC’s vision.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop the following skills:
- Affirm and promote First Nations knowledge, worldview, culture, and history.
- Plan the school year and teaching and learning activities in a First Nations context.
- Pilot teaching activities that reflect students’ reality.
- Assess learning in a First Nations context.
- Implement caring and optimal classroom management strategies in a First Nations context.
- Respect the uniqueness of each student.
- Leverage digital technologies.
- Act in accordance with the ethical principles of the profession in a First Nations context.
The training program is designed to meet the needs of teachers working in the community. It’s personalized and individualized, while taking teachers’ school schedules into account. The program is delivered remotely and in-person and involves approximately 135 hours of training.
“We would like to thank UQAC for being the first university to recognize the skills acquired in this basic training for teachers working in the communities,” said Denis Gros-Louis, Director General of FNEC. “This is an important milestone in our collaboration with the academic community as we move towards a First Peoples university with the House of Knowledge.”
“This is the result of close and fruitful collaboration between our institutions,” added Ghislain Samson, President of UQAC. “It opens up new perspectives for teachers in First Nations communities, reinforcing our commitment to education for all.”
“This announcement highlights a remarkable education initiative that not only demonstrates FNEC’s proven expertise in education in First Nations contexts, but also embodies our commitment to respecting First Nations cultures, knowledge, and know-how,” said Danielle Rousselot, Head of Relations with First Nations at UQAC.
For more information on Foundations in Teaching in a First Nations Context, please contact formation-training@cepn-fnec.com.
About the FNEC
The FNEC is an association of 22 First Nations in Québec that has been working for over 38 years to fulfill the right of First Nations to exercise full jurisdiction over education by developing a comprehensive education system with appropriate resources, designed and managed according to First Nations values and culture. For more information, visit the website at www.cepn-fnec.com.
About Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Founded in Chicoutimi in 1969, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) is part of Université du Québec, Canada’s largest university network. UQAC has over 60,000 alumni and welcomes 6,500 students every year, including more than 2,000 international students from some 50 different countries. Students enjoy easy access to faculty members and the choice of over 200 programs of study offered by UQAC. In terms of research, the university is known for having one of the highest partner research outputs of any university in Québec. A number of research niches have been developed at UQAC over the course of its history, setting the university apart globally.
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Source and for more information:
Jean-Luc Lavoie
Government Relations and Communications Services Director First Nations Education Council
418-842-7672, ext. 3016
jlavoie@cepn-fnec.com
Karine Gagnon
Information Officer
Communications and Public Relations – UQAC
418-480-8674
karine1_gagnon@uqac.ca