​Toronto, June 17, 2009– The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce that Grace Fox, a trustee with the Rainbow District School Board, has been reaffirmed as the Association’s First Nations Director. Now serving for a fourth term, Grace will be supported in her role as First Nations Director by Howard Archibald, a trustee from District School Board Ontario North East, who was elected as her Alternate on the OPSBA Board.

“The Council of First Nations trustees is committed to promoting success in school for First Nation students and increasing the knowledge and understanding for all students and staff of the contributions and aspirations of the first peoples of this country,” said Grace Fox.

Under Grace’s leadership and with the support of the Council of First Nation trustees, there has been greater participation by First Nation trustees in decision-making at the local board level. OPSBA is pleased to see that recently amended provincial regulations reinforce this active role. Grace will also be a school board representative on the Minister’s First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Education Advisory Council. This newly established body is another positive step in bringing all voices to the table to support the success of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students and improved awareness for all Ontario students.

A constitutional change was made at OPSBA’s AGM which has resulted in the expansion of the Education Program Work Team and Policy Development Work Team to include one First Nation trustee on each team. Trustee Marion Macdonald of the Grand Erie District School Board will sit on the Education Program Work Team and Mike Brant of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board will sit on the Policy Development Work Team.

OPSBA will continue provide support to First Nation trustees to promote their role in infusing First Nation perspectives in learning in Ontario schools, to increase knowledge and build success not just for First Nation but for all Ontario students.

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For more information, please contact:

Jeff Sprang
OPSBA Communications
(416) 340-2540