The House of Commons voted...

The House of Commons voted 268 to zero in favour of a motion for equity in funding for First Nations schools as compared with provincial schools with the goal of improving the quality of on-reserve education. “Today is historic and we are halfway there,” said MP Charlie Angus of the NDP. He was the member that brought the motion to Parliament. “It is up to the government to live up to the promise they made.” Angus has campaigned for the past number of years for Shannen’s Dream, a movement named after the late Shannen Koostachin, of Attawapiskat. Shannen not only lamented the quality of education in her community, she led a campaign to improve schooling on reserves across Canada. She died in a car accident in 2010. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo has said that since 1996 First Nations education has fallen behind by about $2 billion and $300 million in capital expenditures is needed now just to catch up. He was pleased that all parties were onside with the motion. Now it’s a waiting game to see if the government comes up with the cash.