Ryan Jacobs to Serve as Indigenous Trustee for Upper Canada District School Board

(September 12, 2017) The Upper Canada District School Board announced recently that an accredited teacher and community leader from Akwesasne will serve as Indigenous Trustee with the Upper Canada District School Board.

Kana:takon District Chief Ryan Jacobs was sworn in on September 13 at the first school board meeting of the new school year. He replaces former Indigenous Trustee Peter Garrow, who retired on August 31st after more than a decade of dedicated service on the Board of Trustees.

The 36-year-old community leader serves in the education portfolio with the Council, acting as a liaison with the Director of the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) to ensure the education system best serves the needs of students in Akwesasne.

Jacobs says he looks forward to his new role, "I think it's a great opportunity to work with the outside communities," he said on Thursday. "The more I can learn about how everything works in the outside territories, in addition to the knowledge I already have from serving the AMBE, it will benefit the community where I come from. I hope to ensure we get more services and equivalent services. I think that in building those bridges we can all work together."

Trustee Jacobs is a graduate of the School of Education and Professional Studies at the State University of New York Potsdam. He served as a teacher in academic support for students in AMBE, and also worked for the Massena Central School District. Despite a busy schedule, Jacobs also finds time to organize a softball league in Akwesasne and coaches minor lacrosse.

"We are very much looking forward to working with Trustee Jacobs in the important role our Board has in educating Indigenous students within our District," said Chair Jeff McMillan. "As an educator and member of the Mohawk Council, Trustee Jacobs will bring a unique and qualified perspective to the role."