ʔaq̓am Education Law Enacted, Strengthening Self-Governance

The ʔaq̓am community proudly announced the formal enactment of the ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, which was approved by the ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis ʔaq̓am (Council) on October 21, 2025. This significant achievement affirms the community’s intrinsic right to self-governance within its educational framework and underscores its commitment to culturally relevant learning.

Community Engagement and Development

The enactment of the education law reflects a collective effort that has spanned years of collaboration among community members. Bonnie Harvey, Governance Manager for ʔaq̓am, played a pivotal role in guiding the preparation of the jurisdiction framework, which was essential for this milestone. Since 2006, her leadership has focused on fostering community participation through drafting sessions, feedback gatherings, and members’ meetings.

Key stakeholders, including Elders, youth, k̓iʔtik ka·kin (Tipi Pole Holders), and members of the kitk̓i·kȼamnam (ʔaq̓am Education Committee), actively shaped the jurisdiction pathway. The law reflects the community’s vision for a robust and self-determined education system that honors Ktunaxa values and cultural knowledge.

Frameworks Supporting Indigenous Rights

The ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, aligns with both national and international frameworks that recognize Indigenous rights and self-determination. Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ʔaq̓amnik̓, as part of the Ktunaxa people, possess the right to autonomy in managing their educational affairs, including the establishment and control of their education systems.

In a significant step towards self-governance, ʔaq̓am signed the ʔaq̓am Education Jurisdiction Agreement with the Government of Canada in 2022, affirming its right to govern education on its territory. Further, in 2023, ʔaq̓am entered into an Education Co-Management Agreement with the First Nations Education Authority, enhancing its capabilities in teacher certification, school standards, and course evaluations.

These agreements play a crucial role in empowering ʔaq̓am to design and deliver educational programs that reflect the community’s language, land, and culture. A notable outcome of this initiative is the increasing number of ʔaq̓amnik̓ graduates returning to serve as educators, symbolizing the community’s commitment to leadership and the impact of Indigenous education.

The enactment of the ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, serves as a vital step in advancing the Nation’s goals related to education, governance, and cultural preservation. With continued support from community leaders and educators, ʔaq̓amnik̓ School is poised to cultivate generations of learners rooted in Ktunaxa traditions.