The Dene National Assembly recently discussed several key issues and passed resolutions related to improving education for Dene communities. One resolution directs the Dene Nation to advocate for “dedicated, stable and multi-year education funding for schools in Dene communities,” with that money used for offerings such as Dene language instruction and immersion, cultural and land-based programming, and the recruitment and retention of qualified staff. The assembly also passed other resolutions, including to establish a Dene think tank to support research and policy, create legislation to protect Dene knowledge and data sovereignty, and advocate for funding for the Dene Cultural Institute. Several representatives from First Nations across the Northwest Territories spoke at the assembly to call for improvements such as hiring additional staff—including a child and youth manager, an academic coordinator, and/or qualified counsellors—to better support and advocate for students and efforts to address issues around student nutrition, student retention and graduation rates, and teacher retention.
