Parents and students rally against E-12

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Native parents and student protesters from Northern Alberta garnered the support they were looking for at Wednesday's rally in Edmonton.

Their struggle to halt the government's new E-12 policy has taken a giant leap forward, according to Indian Association of Alberta president Roy Louis.

He said Edmonton's contribution to a nationwide protest should help make the government of Canada sit up and take notice of Indian rights.

"This is a total rejection of the E-12 policy. It's something that needs to be taken back to (Indian Affairs Minister Pierre) Cadieux," he said, amid a throng of 800 demonstrators on the steps of Canada Place.

Placard-waving protestors and interested spectators listened to politicians and band leaders condemn the federal government's newest proposal which would slash post-secondary funding.

The right to a post-secondary education is something that needs to be recognized, said Wetaskiwin Member of Parliament Willie Littlechild. "I wouldn't be there without it....Education is the key to our success."

Federal New Democrat Ross Harvey was also on hand to show his party' support.

"There are people in Parliament who believe in human rights. The NDs are with you.

"I'm glad there's someone in this country who knows how to stage a rally," he said later.

But the politicians were upstaged when students from the University of Alberta shared their anguish at the government proposal.

Aboriginal Student Council member Brian Calliou said he could see inequality in the way Natives are being represented at the university.

"Indian people are grossly under represented" in every way. He said there are only 200 Native students attending the U of A.

"The only place we are over represented is society is in prison ....Indian Affairs has lost touch with the Indian people."

U of A student union vice-president David Tupper said the 26,000 students at the U of A relay their support.

"Education is the most basic of all rights. The union stands fully behind you."

The most brazen sign of civil disobedience occurred when Native Women's rights organizer Helen Gladue set fire to the government's newest policy.

"Mr. Cadieux. This is what I think of this," she said.

Indian groups from across the country want a moratorium on the new E-12 policy that will be put into effect April 1. Leaders say education, including the post-secondary sector, it written in their treaties as a right and can not be changed by Indian Affairs. The federal government says this premise is a treaty misconception.

Regional Director General of Indian and Northern Affairs, Elizabeth Turbayne, told the fearing crowd E-12 policy changes were appropriately implemented by the government. She also said the funding has been increased from $4 million to $4.7 million in a decision made Monday. And it should be sufficient to address Native educational needs.

Samson band member Trevor Okeymow, 21, said the future no longer looks bright for Native students because of the government's education rollbacks.

"I don't know what they're trying to do to us. They want to keep us down. Keep us poor and uneducated. I don't know why. No one knows the answers."