Six Nations Lifelong Learning Task Force (LLTF) gave an update on its work to date and recent educational initiatives to Six Nations Elected Council on Oct. 24.

Heather Watts, education manager for LLTF, presented the work being done and studies that have been completed involving education transportation, capital and infrastructure and wholistic learning.

The LLTF has been operating since 2018 and hope to release their community recommendations by summer 2023.

Watts said that the LLTF was mandated to explore options and make recommendations on a world class lifelong learning education system grounded in language and culture for the Six Nations of the Grand River Community.

"We are in the business of knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing," Watt said. "So doing research as to what is going on in sister communities, doing research in terms of what is known as best practice in the world of education, as well as what are we hearing from community members in terms of what our wants and needs are, what gaps exist, and what are some really great frameworks that are already in operation in many of the learning environments across the community that have already been established."

Watts was able to detail the studies that have been done involving the LLTF and community based consultants. During the Oct. 24 meeting, the topics of education transportation, capital and infrastructure and wholistic learning were covered specifically.

She also apoke about other community engagements that the LLTF are currently working on. She said the group involved Six Nations students in a "design your dream school youth initiative." The initiative asked Six Nations students to design and tell the task force what they wanted out of their school experience on Six Nations.

"For so many youth, they leaned into some things they really love about the school that they're already at, what are some really great things that are already going on at school and what are things they can dream about that they wish that they would have at their school in the future," Watts said.

Some student ideas from the initiative included karate instruction, lacrosse stick making classes, having a pool for swimming lessons and physical education, pow wow and social dancing, and Onondaga language classes. Watts was questioned by SNEC council about graduation rates on Six Nations being lower than provincial rates. Watts acknowledged the lower rates and said the LLTF's goal is to fulfill the wants and unique needs of Six Nations students and help increase graduation rates on Six Nations.

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