Education Council honours Linda Simon

The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) marked its 40th anniversary by honouring key figures who helped transform Indigenous education, including longtime educator and advocate Linda Simon.

Simon, married to late grand chief Clarence Simon, died on September 28, 2023.

But on Monday, at the FNEC’s headquarters, her legacy was honoured with a ceremony unveiling newly named meeting rooms dedicated to her and three other influential members: John Martin, Eddie Cross, and Raymond Sioui. Family members were invited to be part of the ceremony, which was the final event in a yearlong celebration of the FNEC’s decades of work.

“All my mother’s hard work was being recognized in a special way with a plaque mounted on an office door, dedicated to her at a place where others can see for years to come what she did for First Nations education,” said Alyssa Kahsenniio Simon.

“All those long hours, the traveling, the meetings, the dedication did not go unnoticed.”

For Alyssa, getting the invitation to the ceremony was emotional to her and her family.

“Our mother was the strongest woman we ever knew, she fought right to the end for the work she loved,” said Alyssa, who shared that even when her mother was battling cancer, she continued to push through with her work right to the end.   

“I hope that through all her hard work, dedication, and determination, our community and other communities understand that she fought for their children and the betterment of their children’s education,” said Alyssa.

FNEC director general Denis Gros-Louis said Simon played a central role in developing a comprehensive model for what a fully funded First Nations school system should look like.

Over seven years, Simon led a team that worked with communities to calculate the true cost of delivering quality education. The effort examined everything from teacher-to-student ratios and transportation needs, to language instruction, land-based learning, and special education services.

“She was our leader in that work,” said Gros-Louis.

Simon’s research informed a major funding agreement that the FNEC and 22 member communities in Quebec signed with the Canadian government. According to Gros-Louis, $400 million was secured to support education in communities.

“She had a rigor that was just amazing,” said Gros-Louis, who explained that Simon’s expertise and persistence was crucial for negotiations with federal officials. “She was firm, but at the same time passionate and dedicated to the outcome.”

The ceremony and anniversary celebration reflects the FNEC’s growth since its founding in 1985.

According to Gros-Louis, at the time the FNEC only had three employees. Now it represents 22 First Nations communities across eight nations, supporting more than two dozen schools.

The anniversary celebration has spanned the past year, where the FNEC hosted events showcasing student art, cultural programming, and educational achievements. The celebrations ended in the naming of the four meeting rooms.

“You could feel their hearts were blessed with the recognition that we had for Simon,” said Gros-Louis, sharing how Alyssa and her sisters were moved during the ceremony.

Each room was chosen to reflect the legacy of the individual it honours. Simon’s name was given to the room where staff did their homework, research, and analysis.

Watsenniiostha Nelson, director of education of the Kanesatake Education Center, said in a public statement that Simon’s impact extended far beyond the immediate community.

“Her contributions to the framework of the Regional Education Agreement, and her commitment to making sure our community had a place within it, are a big part of why we are where we are today,” said Nelson.

[email protected]

Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter