The Importance of Reverse Tuition Agreements to Self-Determination in the Educational System: A Cree First Nation

Abstract

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)funds only on-reserve band mem­bers for primary and secondary education. Off-reserve band members do not receive educational funding from INAC; their education falls under the jurisdic­tion  of local provincial schools boards. Thus First Nations have been segregated into on-reserve and off-reserve designations with respect to primary and secon­dary education even though all the children are part of one First Nation. If no school exists on a reserve the First Nation through a tuition agreement can pur­ chase educational services from a provincial school board. Thus all children (on and off-reserve) would attend one school in this scenario. However, if a school is established on a First Nation, off-reserve band members cannot attend the First Nation school (unless they pay their own tuition), because INAC provides no edu­cational funding at this level. In this article, I report on a novel solution to this problem proposed by Moose Cree Education Authority: reverse tuition agree­ments. A reverse tuition agreement reverses the role of First Nations and provin­cial school boards, that is, the provincial school board purchases educational services from the First Nation for off-reserve band members. There is nothing im­ proper (i.e., illegal) with this type of arrangement; however, the Moose Cree Edu­ cation Authority has had difficulty trying to implement this type of agreement. Although quality of education has been presented as a major issue, it is shown not to be the real issue, which is local control of education. Empowerment of First Na­tion communities is what is at stake.