Editorials
Special To The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Commentary Page
From the Policy Committee of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
FIRST NATIONS STUDENT EDUCATION
Federal government funding and legal structures for First Nations student education falls far behind that of other Canadians, to a degree that is nearly unbelievable.
The huge costs to Canadian society and business created by the poor education and the extreme inadequacy of the First Nations educational system are well documented, most recently by:
- A report from the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples[1], chaired by Conservative Senator Gerry St. Germain and supported by Liberal senators, which urged legislation to create a First Nations education system, and
- The National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education (The Panel) which delivered its report Feb. 8, 2012. It was co-sponsored by Mr. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Honourable John Duncan, Canada’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
In Canada, education is a constitutional responsibility of the provinces and territories, except for First Nations peoples living on reserves where the federal government is responsible. Thus, First Nations students have a different educational funder and management structure than other Canadians.
There are a number of aspects of First Nation peoples’ education that require improvement, but the following provides a focus on two; underfunding and lack of educational structure.
