Relevant programs are key to Native education

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Ten years ago Edith Baker moved from her home base of Hazelton to Victoria, B.C. to complete her Bachelor of Education.

It was the first step toward a journey which led Baker in search of and to develop a responsive, accessible and meaningful system of education for First Nations people.

During the past decade Baker has made a name for herself among the coastal bands as an educational consultant. Most notably was Baker's involvement with the four Saanichton area bands in facilitating the takeover of the educational system from Federal to Band operated. She recently opened a consulting business, First Nation Education Services, while finishing a Masters in Education Administration at the University of Victoria.

Placing the responsibility of the educational system back in the hands of First Nations communities does not eradicate the number of issues and problems which demand to be addressed, said Baker. Band operated schools have to contend with a lack of funding, lack of trained First Nations people to fill teaching or administrative jobs, and lack of a cohesive support network.

"We're at such a critical time in education right now," says Baker. "We really need to get more First Nations people trained. There are so many decisions being made right now that will affect our whole future."

Baker is strongly committed to the concept of community involvement in the development of a relevant education system. Wherever she works with a band, she spends time in the community, and talks to as many local people as possible. She follows up with on-going visits of a supportive nature.

"I think we're going to see the biggest growth within those communities that involve everyone," she says. "If we really want growth in our communities, we have to involve everybody at the community level."

Baker is the first Native person to have been accepted into the University of Victoria's Masters of Education program. Like many First Nation students, Baker was also a high school drop out, and is a single parent.

But Baker remains serene in the face of tough times and stress. In her bright, modern office in Saanichton, Baker and her team are busy tackling what they see as one

of the greatest obstacles to the flourishing of First Nations communities - the European-based education system. For Baker, the driving force behind the hard work is clear.

"We need to develop more programs that are relevant to our needs," she said. "We need to push more of our people to take and complete those programs. If we're talking about self-government, then we need trained people to take on those portfolios."