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April 4, 2006 Assembly of First Nations Calls on Government of Canada to Address First Nations Education CrisisAssembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine and AFN Regional Chief for British Columbia Shawn Atleo (A-in-Chut), chair of the Chiefs Committee on Education, today called on the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs, to fast-track the modernization of the outdated Band Operated Formula (BOF) funding for First Nations education, and to lift the 2% cap on spending for First Nations programs and services, to promote and preserve on-reserve education. “The Band Operated Formula model was introduced almost 20 years ago, and we must ensure that subsequent funding models in the 21st century effectively support on-reserve education," stated Regional Chief Atleo. “The funding shortfall for BOF funding in this fiscal year will be $172 million. Even in school systems with adequate funding, that kind of shortfall would be staggering; for chronically under-funded and under-resourced First Nations schools, it will be crippling.” In 1996, a 2% funding increase “cap” was instituted for funding to programs and services for First Nations. National Chief Fontaine called on the government of Canada to abolish the cap to address critical needs in education and other areas. “The 2% cap hasn’t kept pace with inflation or First Nations population growth,” stated the National Chief. “The cap has affected all programs and services for First Nations, but coupled with the BOF funding shortfalls, on-reserve education is facing an acute crisis. If the existing funding mechanisms continue, there will be a funding shortfall of over a billion dollars in education by 2011. The government of Canada must abolish the current 2% annual cap on First Nations funding and introduce appropriate fiscal escalators for core programs such as education as a first step to providing a sustainable funding base to First Nations communities.” In 2000, the Auditor-General stated that at the current rate of progress, it will take 27 years for First Nations to reach parity in academic achievement with non-Aboriginal Canadians. The Auditor-General’s report estimated that, even if existing education programs achieved their intended outcomes, it would take 27 years to close the First Nations education outcomes gap. By 2004, after four years of allegedly increased effort, the gap had not narrowed, but rather widened to 28 years. “Based on 2001 Statistics Canada findings, only 26% of First Nations between 18 and 29 living on reserve have a high school or post-secondary diploma, compared to 54% of the general population,” stated Regional Chief Atleo. “First Nations know that we must be educated to contribute and be competitive in a modern economy. Educating First Nation citizens will benefit all of Canada and it is time for the government to recognize that in its programs.” National Chief Fontaine further called on the government to implement the agreements on education, infrastructure and other First Nations issues developed at the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal issues in Kelowna. “Education isn’t a stand-alone issue,” stated the National Chief. “Improved health, housing, infrastructure and the positive community identity developed through self-determination all contribute to the well-being of a community, which will permit our youth to pursue ever-greater educational opportunity and create a brighter future for all of us.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer |
