The School Options North website database is an initiative of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN).

About Nishnawbe Aski Nation:

NAN is a Political Territorial Organization representing 49 First Nation communities within Northern Ontario with the total population of membership estimated around 45,000 people. NAN represents the legitimate, socioeconomic, and political aspirations of its First Nation members of Northern Ontario to all levels of government in order to allow local self-determination while establishing spiritual, cultural, social, and economic independence. NAN encompasses James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario's portion of Treaty No. 5, and has a total landmass covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario spanning 544 000 square kilometers (210,000 square miles).

How did the School Options North Website project start?

This online database is the result of a recommendation from the Seven First Nations Youth Inquest (Inquest). On October 5, 2015, the Inquest began which examined the deaths of Jethro Anderson (2000), Curran Strang (2005), Paul Panacheese (2006), Robyn Harper (2007), Reggie Bushie (2007), Kyle Morrisseau (2009), and Jordan Wabasse (2011). All seven died while attending high school in Thunder Bay, Ontario far away from their families and home First Nation communities.

The first phase of the Inquest began with testimony from family members about the circumstances surrounding these deaths. The second phase included testimony from expert witnesses who put the students' experiences into broader context for the jury. The inquest concluded on May 27, 2016.

After hearing from 146 witnesses with 185 exhibits during eight months of proceedings the jury delivered 145 recommendations on June 28, 2016. They were directed at improving accountability, safety and education outcomes for all Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) students.

"The families believe that the recommendations that the jury has made must be implemented to prevent future similar deaths and so that other families do not have to endure the loss of children like Jethro, Paul, Curran, Robyn, Reggie, Kyle, and Jordan. The memory of these youth will live on in the hearts of each of their families but it is hoped that their legacy, following this inquest, will be lasting change that makes Thunder Bay safer for First Nation students and improves access to better education for First Nation youth," stated Christa Big Canoe, Legal Advocacy Director at Aboriginal Legal Services and one of the lawyers for six of the families.

The specific recommendation that this database addresses is Recommendation 44 which states: in order to allow students and parents to make an informed choice regarding the school options available to them off-reserve, in consultation with First Nations education providers and public school boards, develop a comprehensive information package, funded by Canada and Ontario, that will include the following information:

1. Description of schools, including curriculum, student base, and staffing;
2. Limitations regarding programs offered, including availability of academic stream courses;
3. Accommodation arrangements while residing away from the home community;
4. Travel allowances while residing away from the home community;
5. After-school activities and recreational resources;
6. Community supports;
7. Availability of supports for students with special needs;
8. Other supports available, including guidance counsellors, nursing staff, social workers, mental health workers, alcohol/drug programs, addiction counsellors; and
9. Contact information, including links to websites and videos, to provide easily accessible information to students, families, and their communities.