Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education & Upper Canada District School Board Sign Tuition Agreement Today

(Pictured above: From left: UCDSB Chair Greg Pietersma, UCDSB Director of Education David K. Thomas, and Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell sign the agreement.)

(Cornwall Island) – The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) and the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) hosted an event for the official signing of the tuition agreement between the two boards December 9, 2011 at the Tsi District Elders’ Building, Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island), Ontario.

The seven-year agreement covers the tuition costs for all grades 9-12 students living in Ahkwesahsne to attend a secondary school within the UCDSB.

A number of local dignitaries and community members attended the signing event including UCDSB Director of Education David K. Thomas, AMBE Director of Education Dr. Barry M. Montour, Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell, Chief Abram Benedict, Chief Julie Phillips-Jacobs, AMBE Chair Theresa Thompson, Marilyn McMahon, executive assistant to Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell, UCDSB Trustee Peter Garrow, UCDSB Trustee Caroll Carkner, Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School Principal Robert Currier, St. Lawrence Secondary School Principal Christian Boulay and Vice-Principal Douglas Searle, TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education Principal Frank Hummell, Upper Canada Leger Centre Executive Director Tim Mills, UCDSB Principal of Continuous School Improvement Brenda Beaudette, and UCDSB program resource teachers Romaine Mitchell and Ewen McIntosh.

This event included an opening ceremony with AMBE students, opening remarks from Grand Chief Mitchell, a history of the tuition agreement by Montour and Thomas, the official signing, a closing ceremony with AMBE students, and a luncheon.

“This is the longest tuition agreement in Canada between a public board and a First Nations board,” said Thomas. “This contract is the hallmark of a long-standing, honest, professional relationship based on mutual respect and admiration.”

"The strength of this agreement is reflected in the positive working relationship between our two school boards, as we share a common vision based on the success of all our students,” said Montour.

(Pictured above: AMBE Director of Education Dr. Barry M. Montour signs the agreement.)

Posted: December 12, 2011