National Panel on First Nation Education K-12

April 2011

Update – NATIONAL PANEL on FIRST NATION EDUCATION K-12

A federal election is underway with the voting date set for May 2nd.  Federal governments continue to fall short in meeting the urgent needs of our communities, including the need for equitable funding for First Nations schools, education systems and support for our students.   

The campaign period provides an opportunity to communicate First Nations issues, priorities and questions to all major parties.   We are expecting answers as well as a willingness by each party to transform their relationship with First Nations. Our four broad priorities in this election are Education, Affirmation of our Rights, Partnership, and Safety and Community Health.

There is still a major disparity in funding and support for our First Nations learners. Our high school and post secondary graduation rates are nowhere close to the same levels as the rest of the country.  We need at least sixty new schools and dozens more require major repairs. We have the solutions but we require federal engagement in a manner envisioned in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  It is critical that whoever forms the government after the votes are counted on May 2 provides the commitment and funding required to support justice, fairness and equity in First Nations education.

The joint Chiefs Committee on Education and the AFN National Executive met on March 31 - April 1, 2011.  All agreed that the status quo represented by the INAC education reform agenda does not adequately reflect the approved policy framework “First Nation control of First Nation education”. Advancing our First Nation agenda based on First Nations rights and jurisdiction, and ensuring investment in sustainable and equitable resources requires engagement with all levels of governments and all Canadians.  

I met with Prime Minister Harper and he agreed that First Nations education is a priority. We are pleased that he has agreed to work with us, but we are not yet where we need to be – we have to stay focused and drive the agenda forward to achieve a full budgetary commitment.  That means keeping the federal government at the table. The National Panel on First Nations Education is one of many means to advance our agenda.  The First Nations rights fund and regional self-government negotiations provide other means of moving towards our shared objectives.  The National Panel process will lead to a non-binding, joint report to both First Nations and the Minister of Indian Affairs.  The next steps will be critical and will be determined by the First Nations leadership.

The National Panel will be participating in eight regional engagement sessions and one national session.  Representatives from the AFN Chiefs Committee on Education will work with their INAC counterparts to ensure the National Panel receives all the information they require to understand First Nations issues, aspirations and needs.  The National Panel has already received a number of briefing documents, available on the AFN website, and will be joined by a Rapporteur, a position we created to facilitate our work.   

We are also pressing this agenda forward with all Provincial and Territorial Governments.  We will meet with all of Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs on April 19th on the work over the past year to set specific action plans to advance and support our learners.  We will encourage active partnership on the ground at the local and regional level to advance these plans based on First Nation direction and direct involvement.

I also want to acknowledge the work of key supporters including Members of Parliament who have established April 27, 2011 as a day of action on First Nations education.  This is an important expression of support.  We must continue to push our agenda for First Nations education locally, regionally and nationally particularly during the election campaign.  It is critical that all parties and all members of the next government be fully informed about our needs and demands.   When we raise our voice in unison with a common message, we cannot be denied.

Kleco, Kleco!