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Chiefs of Ontario Releases Education Manifesto at education conference

August 24, 2005 - 7:01am | by Anonymous

From http://chiefs-of-ontario.org/news/aug24-05.html

Chiefs of Ontario Releases Education Manifesto, a Comprehensive Declaration of First Nations Jurisdiction over Education 

TORONTO, Aug. 23 /CNW/ - The Chiefs of Ontario are proud to announce the release of "The New Agenda: A Manifesto for First Nations Education in Ontario". The Manifesto consists of eighteen research and discussion papers on key areas of First Nations education in Ontario.

The Manifesto was envisioned by the Ontario First Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly as a means of providing a foundation for change in First Nations education. It provides a comprehensive overview of what exists in First Nations education in Ontario, as well as providing a direction for building upon the successes of First Nations education.

Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse is attending the "Our Children, Our Future, Our Way" Education Conference in Toronto at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, Churchill Room. At 11:45 am on Thursday August 24th the Regional Chief will formally announce the completion of the Manifesto, and will be available to respond to questions. The Manifesto announcement will follow the release of a report commissioned by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation entitled "Aboriginal Institutions of Higher Education - A Struggle for the Education of Aboriginal Students, Control of Indigenous Knowledge and Recognition of Aboriginal Institutions".

Background

First Nations in Ontario

There are 134 First Nations communities in Ontario. These communities comprise thirteen distinct Nations of people, each with their own languages, customs and territories. These Nations are the Algonquin, Mississauga, Ojibway, Mohawk, Onoyota'a:ka, Tuscarora, Cree, Cayuga, Seneca, Onondaga, Odawa, Pottowatomi and Delaware. Although the focus of political activity by First Nations communities is primarily centred within provincial boundaries, the traditional territories and activities of the nations extend beyond provincial and international boundaries.

The Manifesto - Background

The New Agenda - A Manifesto for First Nations Education in Ontario was envisioned by the Ontario First Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly as a means of providing a foundation for change in First Nations education. The project was mandated by AOCC Resolution 03/18.

First Nations in Ontario are seeking a return to the full recognition and respect for the jurisdiction of their governments over education. First Nations require the capacity to protect and advance their societies' values, traditions and cultures. Education is recognized as a fundamental means to pass on cultural norms and values and the continuation of societies. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples noted that the destiny of a people is intricately bound to how its children are educated. The revitalization and use of First Nations languages is fundamental to this goal.

First Nations view education as a lifelong holistic process. First Nations have a right to comprehensive education programming and First Nations controlled institutions at all levels which includes, but is not limited to, daycare, pre-school/early learning programs, elementary, secondary, language immersion, special education, teacher education post-secondary, upgrading, vocational, training, and adult education; that right is not externally circumscribed. The greatest concern of First Nations is that they are only operating their schools and administering programs: control is still attached to the federal government.

What First Nations Desire in Education:

First Nations rightfully seek adequate resources to be able to operate effective education systems which will meet the dual goals stated in Indian Control of Indian Education of preserving their identities while preparing their citizens to live and work in a modern world. The federal government has a fiduciary responsibility to provide adequate funding for education based on need. First Nations structures, institutions and governance in education are protected and affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

The New Agenda: A Manifesto For First Nations Education in Ontario

Remarks by Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse
At the Our Children, Our Future, Our Way Education Conference
Wednesday August 24, 2005

  • Ahneen.   I am Angus Toulouse, the Ontario Regional Chief.     I am pleased to be joined by Nelson Toulouse, Deputy Grand Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians, and Tim Thompson, Education Coordinator for the Chiefs of Ontario.
  • In 2003, the First Nations leadership in Ontario mandated the development of a comprehensive education document to identify First Nations education needs in Ontario.
  • I am pleased to take this opportunity to formally announce the completion of “The New Agenda:  A Manifesto For First Nations Education in Ontario.
    The Manifesto consists of eighteen research and discussion papers prepared solely by First Nations educators and addresses virtually every aspect of First Nations education in Ontario, from cradle to grave.  
  • It provides a comprehensive overview of what exists in First Nations education in Ontario, as well as providing a direction for building upon the successes of First Nations education.
  • This week the Chiefs of Ontario held an education conference with the theme “Our Children, Our Future, Our Way”.    The Manifesto is truly about our children, and it sets out a made-in-Ontario First Nations template for creating opportunities for success for our future generations.
  • The Manifesto confirms that First Nations view education as a lifelong holistic process.   
  • First Nations have a right to comprehensive education programming and First Nations controlled institutions at all levels which includes, but is not limited to, daycare, pre-school/early learning programs, elementary, secondary, language immersion, special education, teacher education post-secondary, upgrading, vocational, training, and adult education; each of these initiatives must be linked in a seamless system and not exist in isolation.  
  • The greatest concern of First Nations is that they are only operating their schools and administering programs: ultimate control is still attached to the federal government through the policies of its many departments and branches.
  • We understand that initiatives are underway at a federal level which will hopefully respond to our needs.    The Manifesto provides a concrete basis for moving beyond the status quo. 
  • I will now ask Nelson to say a few words.

Remarks by Nelson Toulouse, UOI Deputy Grand Chief and COO Portfolio Holder for Education and Languages
At the Our Children, Our Future, Our Way Education Conference
Wednesday August 24, 2005

  • Ahneen.
  • I am pleased to join the Ontario Regional Chief in the release of the Manifesto.
  • First Nations in Ontario have formed an Education Coordination Unit, consisting of policy representatives from each of our political organizations and other education delivery authorities.   As the Chiefs of Ontario portfolio holder for education and languages I am the chair of the Unit.
  • Our task over the coming days, weeks and months will be to develop approaches for the implementation of the Manifesto.   The Manifesto notes that while we have schools, we really lack system-wide supports for our schools. 
  • The Manifesto calls for the development of a multi-tiered education system, with local communities exercising a greater degree of control and involvement over their education.    It demands the creation of regional school authorities and service delivery bodies to provide system supports to schools that provincial schools take for granted, like curriculum development, teacher education, and development of programs designed for the transmission of our languages and cultures.
  • The Manifesto then sets out the need for a province-wide authority to  coordinate First Nations direction, common standards and policy matters relating to the operation of school systems.
  • In summary, this is the work we have set out for ourselves.   
  • This is a groundbreaking moment for us.     We believe that the completion of the Manifesto marks an important day in our history when we will look back and say “that was the time when we truly began to make a difference in achieving First Nations control over our education.”   
  • Meegwetch.   Thank You.
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