“National Chief Communique - Education Activities Update” - March - 2011
Communiqué from National Chief Shawn Atleo
MARCH 2011
The Assembly of First Nations issues regular updates on the National Chief’s activities and work underway at the national office. More information can be found on the AFN’s website at www.afn.ca.
Update – EDUCATION
The priority on First Nation education was set by First Nations in December 2009 through a clear statement by First Nations leaders and youth at our Special Chiefs Assembly. It was followed in June 2010 when the AFN issued a Call to Action on Education resulting in a number of activities to raise the importance of this issue and to advance our approach. These include:
• Release of First Nation Control of First Nation Education 2010
• Release of the Taking Action Paper on Post-secondary Education: 2010 Discussion Paper
• Human Rights Challenge: Launch of First Nations Rights Fund and Legal Review
• National Week of Action on Education Sept. 19-24, 2010
– Parliamentary advocacy, Rally on the Hill, outreach to international embassies
– Community and regional action
• NDP Parliamentary Motion – Shannen’s Dream for funding equity in First Nation education
• Bloc Legislation – statutory funding guarantee
• Priority focus on First Nations Education
– Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC National meeting- Feb 24,2011)
– Aboriginal Affairs Ministers Working Group (AAMWG)
– Council of the Federation Call for First Minister’s Meeting on First Nations Education
• Virtual Summits – Post-secondary education dialogues with National Chief and PSE students (Vancouver Island University, First Nations University of Canada)
• Online post-secondary survey
• Strengthening educational alliances: AUCC, ACCC, CASA, CFS, CMEC, CAUT, CTF, CUPE
In December 2010, the Minister of Indian Affairs agreed to create a focused effort in response to our Call to Action in the form of a National Panel to focus on First Nations elementary and secondary education.
This Panel will engage directly with First Nations and others through a series of regional dialogue sessions, a national session and site visits, all to advance a plan to implement sustainable solutions that put the success of our children front and centre.
This is not another study. We have had enough studies. First Nations have done our job and put forward concrete plans and proposals for progress. Now is our time to act.
The Panel has a time-limited mandate to identify, explore and bring forward clear options to advance and implement First Nations education systems and supports. This is an opportunity to move beyond the status quo, which we can all agree is unacceptable.
The Assembly of First Nations, working with the CCOE, has consistently pressed the Government of Canada for full disclosure of all information. Through intervention at all senior levels, agreement to establish a formal, regular process for joint discussion and reporting has been achieved.
A formal AFN-INAC joint working group has been established to meet on a weekly basis to provide direction and oversight on all matters. Most importantly, this joint process confirms a direct connection to the CCOE. To ensure the process is truly joint, open and inclusive, the group has agreed to:
• Joint preparation of briefing material
• Joint orientation of the National Panel
• Joint oversight of operational and administrative support to the National Panel
• Independence in preparing summaries and reporting
• Joint development of a website for common information base and transparent posting of all summaries of all meetings
• National Panel to have national and regional sessions as well as ”key meetings” and “site visits”
• Key Meeting with National Executive and CCOE prior to the Panel beginning its work
The Government of Canada is advancing final contract and security clearances for the panel and will aim to formally announce the panel by mid-March with activities getting underway in early April. As part of the contracting process, INAC has released the names of three individuals: David Hughes, George Lafond and Caroline Krause. In discussions with INAC, the interest was to ensure that these individuals have direct experience in education and innovation as well as the ability to reflect federal, provincial and First Nation perspectives. The biographies of these individuals are available on our website.
We need to prepare now for the formal beginning of this process. We need your expertise and your insight to create real change. As First Nation leaders we have stated our priority clearly and confidently and we have the government’s attention. It is time for us to act and lead this process in the best interests of our children, our youth, our students and all our citizens.
Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of First Nations citizens. It is the key to ensuring the continuity and growth of our languages and cultures; it is the key to better health; it is the key for improved economic opportunities; and it is the foundation for strengthening our nations.
We will ensure that the role of AFN is strictly and specifically about supporting your efforts to achieve implementation of your plans and will in no way negatively impact or add another layer to your work. But we do know that the rate and pace of change must increase dramatically, and our focus must be on enabling and implementing First Nation control of First Nation education driven by our people.
Our vision is clear: Education based on our rights. Education that protects and nurtures our children. Education that values our languages and culture. Education that is fair and equitable. Education that gives our people the same opportunities for success as other Canadians.
We must advance our own solutions now. We must uphold our Aboriginal and Treaty rights and we must demand equity and results for our children. We can all agree that our children deserve fairness, justice and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and their goals. This is our ultimate objective for this work.
Kleco, Kleco!
Assembly of First Nations, 473 Albert Street, 9th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5B4
Toll-free: 1-866-869-6789 Fax: (613) 241-5808 www.afn.ca
