EDUCATION

Community Based Education Services:

Each Band is responsible for managing the AANDC education program which consists of elementary student (K-12) and post-secondary (mostly university) student supports. Some Bands have delegated their authority to an independent Education Society to administer the funding and offer the programs and services to band members. Gitanmaax, Glen Vowell, Moricetown and Hagwilget band or villages administer their band education programs through the Band office.

1. Gitanyow Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by the Gitanyow Independent School Society;
2. Gitwangak Band: the education program  and elementary school is administered by the Gitwangak Education Society (funded independently by INAC);
3. Gitsegukla Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by Gitsegukla Education Society (funded independently by INAC);
4. Kispiox Band: the education program and elementary school is administered by Anspayaxw School Society; funded by AANDC through GGC.

The reporting requirements are fulfilled by the Education Coordinators (after approved by band adminstration) to the Education Advisor for prepartion and consolidation for final submission to AANDC.

GGC Education Advisor

The GGC Education Advisor provides advice and support to the Band Education staff or to the Education Societies administering the Band education programs. Advisory support services are provided to the education administration of the Band offices and to the Education Societies in the following main areas:

• Nominal Role for elementary school enrollment (all K-12 students on reserve only); Educaton annual reports and submissions; negotiated a local education agreement with School District #82
• Post Secondary support - supporting application and support to communities to ensure following Education Policy; creating a draft Gitksan Post-Secondary Education Policy
• Post Secondary Appeals - when post secondary students do not agree with a decision regarding post secondary financial support;
• Reports to GGC Board for AANDC education related activities that communities should be aware of

The Education Advisor position is contracted by GGC with GWES and the position is filled by Marj McRae. GGC provides financial bookeeping services for GWES.

GGC Education Advisor is working with GWES and the member Bands to finalize the Gitksan Education Policy for implementation with the affiliated communities.

GGC Advisor provides regular reports to the GGC Board and provides updates at the GGC Annual General Meeting reporting on its the supports provided to the Bands and membership.  Marj McRae currently is the GGC representative on the FNESC Strategic Action Committee - see FNESC for more information.