AFN applauds new beginning of First Nations control of education
- EFN Staff | February 07, 2014
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo was at Kainai High School today in Alberta to announce what he is calling the beginning of a new approach to First Nations control of First Nations education.
"Today is about the beginning of a new era of fairness, opportunity and hope for First Nations children, youth and students," said Atleo. "Today is a victory for First Nations leaders and citizens who have for decades, indeed since the first generation of residential school survivors, called for First Nations control of First Nations education. The approach we are announcing today embraces the essential and connected components of First Nations control of First Nations education founded on our rights, jurisdiction and Treaties; and secure, sustainable and fair funding that supports our students success and strengthens their languages and cultures. First Nations control of First Nations education as envisioned by our leaders and educators for many decades will enable and support the systems and standards necessary to ensure our children are nurtured to achieve their goals through full access to quality education."
The National Chief was at Kainai High School in the traditional territory of the Kainai Nation to make the announcement along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, AFN Regional Chief and Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Education Morley Googoo, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt and First Nations leaders, Elders, students and citizens.
"We know that where we see First Nations control, we see success," said Nova Scotia-Newfoundland Regional Chief Googoo. "First Nations leaders rejected the October proposal put forward by the Government and and stood together to set-out the requirements for change. Today, we are embarking on a path forward based on the direction from Chiefs that will, at long last, lead us to a new era in First Nations education. We are closing the gap in funding and we will close the gap in education between First Nations and non-Indigenous students."
Consistent with AFN resolution 21/2013, "Outlining the Path Forward: Conditions for the Success of First Nations Education," adopted by consensus at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in December 2013, the new approach will respect and recognize First Nations rights, title, Treaty rights and jurisdiction; provides for a statutory guarantee of funding, including funding to support First Nations educations systems grounded in Indigenous languages and cultures; mechanisms for reciprocal accountability with no unilateral federal oversight or authority; and ongoing meaningful dialogue and development of options by First Nations and Canada for an enabling framework for the success of First Nations students and schools.
First Nations have been pressing for many decades the urgent need to invest in our children and our schools. This announcement today is the elimination of many financial gaps such as ending the 2 percent cap and establishing a reasonable, stable and fair rate of growth now and in the long-term. There are also investments to support the transition to and building of systems supporting that work which is underway and enabling others to take this on. And finally there are investments to build schools.
"Investing in First Nations youth, the youngest and fastest growing population in the country, is an investment in our shared future because strong First Nations make a strong Canada," said Atleo. "But today is not the culmination of our work, it is the beginning. First Nations must decide on the approach that works for them to make First Nations control a reality. Some are already moving, some are ready to move and others must engage with their citizens to chart the path forward. This is not easy work but it is important work and it is essential work to strengthen our citizens and rebuild our nations. We will seize this moment. Now is our time."
Backgrounder from the Government of Canada
What will the bill do?
- The legislation will ensure First Nations control of First Nations education while establishing minimum education standards, consistent with provincial standards off-reserve. For example, the legislation will require that First Nation schools teach a core curriculum that meets or exceeds provincial standards, that students meet minimum attendance requirements, that teachers are properly certified, and that First Nation schools award widely recognized diplomas or certificates. These requirements do not currently exist. This has resulted in situations where First Nations youth graduate from education institutions on-reserve but cannot demonstrate a recognizable diploma to a workplace or post-secondary institution and are therefore required to return to school.
- The legislation will also improve transparency and promote accountability by establishing clear roles and responsibilities for First Nation education administrators, and annual reporting requirements. The bill will also allow for the establishment of First Nation Education Authorities. These Authorities will act like school boards in the provincial education system to provide the key secondary support to help ensure that First Nation schools are meeting their requirements under the Act, and are providing a quality education for First Nation students.
- Following on our Governments 2010 commitment, the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act will also repeal the provisions in the Indian Act related to residential schools. This measure is of great symbolic importance and aligns with the purpose of this bill; namely, to turn the page on the dark chapter of the Residential School system, and provide the framework for First Nations to develop and implement a quality education system under the control of First Nations.
What is new?
- The First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act will contain a number of significant changes to the October 2013 draft legislative proposal shared with all First Nations Chiefs. These include:
- Creating a Joint Council of Education Professionals to provide advice and support to the Government of Canada and First Nations on the implementation and oversight of the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.
- Outlining our Governments commitment to adequate stable, predictable and sustainable funding. This funding will replace the complex structures now in place with three funding streams: a statutory funding stream that will have a reasonable rate of growth; transition funding to support the new legislative framework; and funding for long-term investments in on-reserve school infrastructure.
- Enabling First Nations to incorporate language and culture programming in the education curriculum, and providing funding for language and culture programming within the statutory funding stream.
- Committing the Government to work in conjunction with First Nations to develop the Acts regulations.