Chiefs talk education at AFN assembly

Saskatchewan Chiefs have drawn a line in the sand. They have united and are taking a stand against the federal governments current control methods over post-secondary education for First Nations.

Approximately forty chiefs and members of First Nations voiced their frustrations during the Saskatchewan caucus session at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) general assembly in Winnipeg on July 21.

The main point of discussion was the current system that Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada (INAC) has in place to facilitate post-secondary education for 615 bands. The chiefs made a decision that it was time to demand change even if it means taking legal action.

“We need to do more than just pass resolutions,” said Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Vice-Chief Delbert Wapass, who is responsible for the education portfolio with the FSIN. “We need to be loud on post-secondary education.”

Saskatchewan’s First Nations leaders agreed that they have been too quiet when it has come to the problems their community members face with getting access to education after high school, which is an integral part of First Nations treaty rights.

INAC’s Post- Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) has received criticism for the method in which it provides financial assistance to status Indians and Inuit students who are enrolled in post-secondary programs. Wapass noted that in the past, Saskatchewan bands have received between six to seven million dollars through PSSSP, but it is not stretching far enough.

Chief Rick Gamble of Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation in Duck Lake told the caucus that many of his band members who attend post-secondary are forced to take out student loans because there is not enough money to give out to all of the applicants. He echoed the sentiments of the majority of chiefs present who were tired of talking about demanding a change, without any follow-through.

FSIN’s Chief Guy Lonechild agreed that it was time to stop shying away from voicing their concerns about the future of First Nations having access to post-secondary education.

“I think it is time we take a stand,” said Lonechid.

“Our rights are being violated.” He added that Saskatchewan First Nations should be leaders of a national movement against Canada’s PSSSP. Lonechild proposed the idea of contacting Prime Minister Stephen Harper directly to meet with the FSIN and understand the struggles many communities and their students face.
Education was one of the main discussion points at the 31st AFN general assembly. On July 22, the last day of the three-day conference, the AFN released ‘First Nations Control of First Nations Education 2010’. The paper is a blueprint for the changes chiefs across the country want to see within the education system for their youth. The paper not only calls for First Nations to have control over their education, it also lists traditional languages and values to become a permanent component of educating Aboriginal youth.

A month prior, the AFN released a separate discussion paper that focused on the need of First Nations post-secondary education. ‘Taking Action for First Nations Post-Secondary Education: Access, Opportunity, and Outcomes’, released June 21 as part of the AFN’s “Call to Action” on revamping the current education systems, was also passed out and discussed at the conference of over 2,000 participants. The 30-page paper is meant to get the attention of INAC Minister John Duncan by outlining seven steps that would reconfigure the Federal Post Secondary Education (PSE) program.

INAC’s PSSSP has been criticized for funneling lump sums of money to First Nations without any formal structure. A report on PSSSP by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute revealed that many students have been denied funding due to a lack of funding management by certain bands.

Days following the closing of the general assembly Atleo did push for the Premiers of Canada to understand the urgency behind reconstructing the Aboriginal education when he spoke at a meeting with the Council of the Federation on August 4. Atleo told the 13 provincial and territorial ministers that it was time to put pressure on Ottawa to increase funding for Aboriginal education that routinely receives fewer monies than non-Aboriginal education programs.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, who also spoke at the AFN General Assembly days prior, said he would write Prime Minister Stephen Harper to request a meeting on the issue.

“If we are unable to move forward in a reasonable way, then we need to take it to the courts,” said Atleo.
“We’ll take it to the international community.”