Senator calls on PM to intervene on First Nations Education Act
- Senator Lillian Dyck | June 11, 2014
Honourable Senators, today is the sixth anniversary of the historic apology to former students of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS). On June 11, 2008, in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Harper said:
'Today, we recognize this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm and has no place in our country. The Government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal Peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly.'
The Prime Minister's apology was heartfelt and meaningful. This sentiment, to the Prime Ministers credit, was reinforced at his announcement on First Nations Education on Feb 7th, when he said:
'In Canada, we have never had the system of First Nations education that we truly need. The federal government, which has the constitutional responsibility for this, has historically veered between at some times disinterested neglect, and at other times, arbitrary decrees. In 2008, in the House of Commons, I delivered an apology for the worst example of the latter, the policy of IRS.'
At the announcement on Feb 7th, PM Harper said:
'The Act will provide the legislative base required to ensure that youth on reserve have access to the education they need and deserve, one that is portable and meets provincial standards, incorporates Aboriginal language and culture, and ensures the First Nations communities themselves have the primary responsibility for day-to-day management of schools.'
Speaking of the youth on reserve he said:
'Their talents and their ambition will be a critical part of the solution to Canadas looming labour shortage. But without an education, without an education in the kind of comparable system that we envision, too many of them will be unemployed or underemployed.
'By investing in and improving the system of primary and secondary education on reserve, well be equipping First Nations youth with the tools they need to benefit from all that this great country has to offer.'
After the tabling in Parliament on April 10th of the proposed legislation, Bill C-33: First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, there was significant opposition to it by some Assembly of First Nations chiefs (AFN). Unfortunately, events escalated rapidly on both sides, and now sadly, we are left with no path forward for real reconciliation on education. Minister Valcourt has refused to meet with these chiefs and has put the bill 'on hold.'
Mr. Prime Minister, in July 2011, in recognition of your 2008 Apology, you were honored with being inducted into the Kainai Chieftanship and given the Blackfoot name Ninayh' poaksin, Chief Speaker . As an Honorary chief who holds the chief's headdress with the highest respect, you are expected to be an available resource to First Nations. I was glad to read that you promised that your government would follow the late Senator Gladstone's lead and work on behalf of all First Nations.
On this day, the anniversary of the Prime Minister's historic apology, and with National Aboriginal Day approaching on June 21st, I appeal to Prime Minister Harper to intervene and break this impasse.
Prime Minister Harper, Chief Speaker, Ninayh' paoksin, on behalf of the First Nations children and youth living on Indian reserves across Canada, I appeal to you to intervene now and convince Minister Valcourt to meet with the AFN chiefs who have stated that Bill C-33 needs more work to fulfil the vision and laudable goals for First Nations education that you announced on Feb 7th.
Thank you. Hiy, Hiy.