ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION SECTOR. Revised Terms of Reference Chiefs Committee on Education

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1 1. AUTHORITY The (CCOE) was established in February 1984 and approved by the Chiefs of the Annual General Assembly. 2. ACCOUNTABILITY The CCOE reports to the Executive Committee, the Confederacy of Nations and the First Nations in Assembly. 3. MANDATE The mandate of the CCOE is to provide political direction, advice and recommendations on educational matters affecting First Nations to the National Chief and the AFN Executive Committee, the Confederacy of Nations and Chiefs in Assembly. Any questions regarding the mandate of the CCOE shall be referred to the Executive Committee. The Committee will report on mandates and progress at general assemblies. Sub-committees may be established as deemed necessary by the CCOE and would be subject to the financial considerations, review and approval of the terms of reference and selection of representatives. 4. OBJECTIVES The CCOE will perform the following objectives. Advocate for the protection of education treaty rights and advance First Nations jurisdiction over First Nations education. Establish and carry out effective communication and liaison strategies with First Nations and other networks. Provide political advice regarding First Nations educational matters. Identify and address issues concerning First Nations education. 1

2 These objectives will be carried out within the mandates of AFN Charter and the AFN Declaration of First Nations. 5. COMPOSITION A designated core committee will consist of one (1) Chief or political representative from each of the 10 AFN regions appointed by the AFN regional Vice Chief of each region. AFN regions will also appoint alternate, political representatives to the CCOE. The National Chief will be an ex-officio member of the CCOE. An elder from the AFN Elders Council will be appointed by the AFN Executive Committee to sit on the CCOE. 6. DURATION OF THE TERM The duration of the term for regional representatives of the CCOE will be determined through the regional processes. The duration of the term for the AFN Executive Committee Portfolio member (CHAIR) and the CO-CHAIR will be determined by the National Chief and the Executive Committee. The positions of the CHAIR and CO_CHAIR may be subject to portfolio changes. 7. DECISION MAKING Every effort will be made to address the concerns of all the AFN regions until consensus is met. When all efforts at achieving consensus have been exhausted without success, a positive vote of 60% of the Chiefs and proxy representatives shall be sufficient to constitute a decision. The CHAIR and CO-CHAIR of the CCOE have voting privileges. 2

3 8. COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings will take place a minimum of 4 times per year or as determined by the AFN Executive Committee. Dates and location will be established in as much advance as possible and may be subject to change based on the availability of Committee members and subject to the AFN Executive Committee Education Portfolio holder. A quorum of the CCOE shall be fifty per cent of the members. Representatives must demonstrate commitment to attend meetings and an absence of three consecutive meetings will be subject for discussion by the CCOE and the AFN Executive Committee. Travel, hotel and meals will be reimbursed for CCOE members or appointed alternates only, as per AFN travel policies. Every effort will be made to book travel in as much advance to ensure cost-efficiency. Every effort will be made to have meetings start on time, as the agenda outlines. 9. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS To carry out the mandate and objectives of the CCOE, committee members will perform the following roles and responsibilities. Submit items for the meeting agenda as much in advance as possible. Review the draft agenda for CCOE meetings; it will be sent out prior to meetings. Draft actions and motions made at CCOE meetings will be sent to Committee members following each meeting, CCOE members will review them and provide comments. Ensure that any decisions and recommendations reflect a national perspective and take into consideration regional variations and processes. Develop and/or establish effective communication mechanisms in each region. 3

4 Ensure that regular reports are prepared for the Confederacy of Nations and First Nations in Assembly Ensure that other meetings are held to provide an accessible and open forum where participants can regularly gather to discuss First Nations education issues. Review and work with other First Nations initiatives to identify connections and linkages at a national level Attend meetings, make presentations or be available for media relations, as required. 10. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CCOE CHAIRPERSON The AFN Executive Committee member with the education portfolio will perform the following roles and responsibilities as the CCOE CHAIR. Preside over and chair all meetings of the CCOE. Ensure that CCOE reports are provided to the AFN Executive Committee members. Encourage active discussion, constructive input, advice and guidance. Endeavour to reach consensus on recommendations. Attempt to identify any conflict of interest. Develop meeting agenda and ensure meeting action sheets and motions are recorded and distributed in a timely manner, through the AFN Education Sector. Invite experts and/or other resource people, as necessary. Ensure that all communications and recommendations made by CCOE are carried out by the Director. Ensure that a quorum will be reached for scheduled meetings. 4

5 Meet with senior officials from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and other federal government departments and provincial ministries, as required. Approve travel requests of CCOE members for designated travel aside from regular Committee meetings. Maintain regular contact with CCOE members. The Co-Chairperson, as designated by the Executive Committee will assume the role of the CCOE Chair, as required. 11. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AFN Advocacy Ensure that lobby and advocacy efforts as directed by the CCOE are carried out. Maintain up-to-date information on First Nation s education and provide information upon request. Ensure that First Nations are adequately represented in initiatives as they affect First Nations education. Ensure that First Nations education issues and concerns are raised in various forums and processes by political leaders and others. Advocate, support and assist First Nations in the development or maintenance of regional and community education strategies, as required. Monitor recommendations made by the CCOE to ensure effective implementation. Analysis Analyze new and emerging education policy, legislation, programs, frameworks, guidelines and research to determine its impact on First Nations aboriginal and treaty rights in education to prepare briefings for the CCOE. 5

6 Provide technical advice and assistance to the CCOE. Develop recommendations and options as required for the CCOE, AFN Executive Committee Education Portfolio holder and the AFN Executive Committee. Communications Maintain regular contact with the members of the CCOE and take direction from the AFN Executive Education Portfolio holder. Maintain regular contact with National Indian Education Council (NIEC) members and regional organizations. Maintain contact and work in collaboration with other national aboriginal education associations, networks and provide advice/support, as required. Maintain contact with DIAND, other federal government departments and provincial ministries, as required. Attend regional, national and international First Nations education forums and provide reports, as required. Develop means of continuing to enhance and improve the capacity of the AFN to disseminate and collect information as it pertains to First Nations education. Administrative Brief the National Chief, AFN Executive Committee and CCOE members on education, as required. Co-ordinate meetings of the CCOE. Ensure the action summaries and motion summaries of CCOE meetings and meeting agendas are prepared and disseminated in a timely and efficient manner. Oversee the administration and finances of the CCOE funding arrangements. 6

7 12. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHER AFN POLITICAL STRUCTURES AFN National Chief and Executive Committee Review and approve reports from the Vice-Chief with the Education Portfolio. Provide guidance, support and direction as required. Maintain regular contact with members of CCOE and the AFN Education Sector. First Nations-in-Assembly Review and approve the annual reports of the CCOE. Provide guidance, support and direction, as required. Maintain regular contact with members of CCOE and the AFN Education Sector. 7