Cutbacks worries education watchdog

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The Sacred Circle Advisory Committee is concerned with a 40 per cent cut in Native education programs.

Funding has dropped from $610,000 in the previous fiscal year to $370,000 for the 1987-88 year.

A mediator for the Native education since 1982, the advisory committee is worried that non-Native resource people will be used to teach Native culture.

Committee member Ralph Bouvette urges that a 75 per cent cut in Native resource staff at the beginning of school year will deter cultural studies. He points out "the (Edmonton public) school system can't expect non-Native people to teach kids about pipe ceremonies, sweats or traditional dances, for example. We don't want any guess work done where the Native culture is concerned. It has to be done right ..."

A new policy announced last March eliminates "the special project focus and direction Native education was structured on. Now, it's just part of the regular school system," he adds.

Elaine Mills, a spokesperson for the school board, says the cuts are necessary because other regions of the province are accessing funds for Native education programs in their areas.

She adds funds for the Native liaison worker and Awasis programs are secured for the next school year.

The public school board has no mandate in place for the hiring of resource personnel to help teach and deliver cultural material.