Connection to Education Provides Tools to Learn Online

Bill Yoachim and Ed Poli - Photo by Tricia Thomas

Kw’umut Lelum, in collaboration with Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation (NLSF) and the Mastercard Foundation will support over 800 Indigenous learners and their families across mid-Vancouver Island.  The “Staying Connected to Education” initiative provides access to support their online education, and also keeps them better connected to the services and social supports they need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on Indigenous communities, where 1 in 4 people are living in poverty.  With many services, including education, being provided in a virtual environment, it is challenging to ensure some of the most vulnerable have access to technological resources and supports to continue education and connection.  While graduation rates are rising, only about 44% of First Nations people 18-24 living on reserve have completed high school.  Tablets and laptops, as well as additional supports including free Wi-Fi access, will provide a lifeline to students and their families who are already struggling to cope with a transition to virtual learning.

The collaborative effort sees local School Districts, Aboriginal Friendship Centres and First Nations governments identifying families in need in each of their catchment areas and overseeing the distribution of  devices and connection to supports to ensure they get to  students who need them most.

Key Facts

-          The Staying Connected to Education project will provide 800 laptops and tablets to Indigenous students in need.  These devices are theirs to keep.

-          Students will be identified by School Districts (68, 69 and 79), Aboriginal Friendship Centres, First Nations governments.  These agencies will also distribute the devices.

-          Wi-Fi access will be funded where needed – through to the end of December 2020

Quotes

“Kw’umut Lelum and its nine Coast Salish member nations realize that education is the pathway to betterment of our children’s lives, and during this pandemic we have to ensure all Indigenous learners do not fall behind for economic reasons. We have a duty as Indigenous people to ensure all Indigenous youth in our territories are treated as ours. This teaching comes from the land and is practiced in our Longhouse where you feed all the guests before yourselves, ensuring the guests are nourished and feel welcomed. Kw’umut Lelum feels the same to all the guests in our territories. We will ensure all Indigenous learners will be fed with the same educational opportunities as our own.  We give thanks and are honoured to partner with the Mastercard Foundation and the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation to work together for our children. ” - Sqwulutsutun / William Yoachim, CEO of Kw’umut Lelum

“NLPS is so pleased to be able to play a role in this project.  By focusing our collective efforts on improving the life chances of our students we can and will make a difference for them.  When we speak of ’syeyutsus’ in our community, this is what we mean.  By walking this path and working together, we are more likely to have a community where all of our children meet with success.” – Scott Saywell, Superintendent SD68

“The Kw’umut Lelum program to connect Indigenous students is an excellent and much needed initiative that fits perfectly with the Foundation’s vision of helping every student reach their full potential. We are pleased to have been able to partner with Kw’umut Lelum and are grateful for the support of the Mastercard Foundation.” – Ed Poli, NLSF Board Chair

"There is no blueprint for navigating this crisis. However, the actions we take now will shape the post-COVID-19 world. This crisis is teaching us how interdependent we are as well as how powerful collective action can be." –  Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation

“On behalf of the Board of Education for Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the ones responsible for providing technology to those most in need. The unique partnership that has brought Kwumut Lelum, Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, MasterCard and the school district together will provide 200 students the necessary tools to learn from a distance during this time of uncertainty. I raise my hands in gratitude as we welcome new community partnerships that focus on our most vulnerable students to ensure they do not get left behind.” – Charlene McKay, Board Chair SD68

Snuneymuxw First Nation is thankful for the opportunity to be included in this project.  It will be an immense benefit for our young people to have access to this technology that will allow them to continue their learning.  We extend our thanks to everyone involved who worked behind the scenes to produce this outcome.” - Chief Mike Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation