Home

Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation demand implementation of First Nation Education Treaty Rights

November 8, 2013 - 12:54pm | by brianbeaton

From CBC.ca

First Nations pledge to protect their education

Curriculum needs to reflect First Nations identity and culture, advocates say

Posted: Nov 08, 2013

Reclaiming treaty rights is the only way for First Nations to end more than a century of educational neglect by the federal government , said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic at a recent conference in Thunder Bay.

Reclaiming treaty rights is the only way for First Nations to end more than a century of educational neglect by the federal government , said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic at a recent conference in Thunder Bay. (Nicole Ireland/CBC)

Related Stories

A northern Ontario chief says Nishnawbe Aski Nation's declaration on education signals a new beginning for First Nations.

Chiefs from across NAN territory met in Thunder Bay for three days and, on Thursday, they pledged to protect the treaty rights of First Nations to govern their own education systems. That protection means including a curriculum that reflects native identity and culture.

Walter Naveau

Walter Naveau, chief of Mattagami First Nations, sayd the education system has, so far, failed First Nation students. (Nicole Ireland/CBC)

Walter Naveau, chief of Mattagami First Nations said the education system has, so far, failed First Nation students.

"We got to start talking about our own history, our people, our leaders, our elders," he said. "Let us give them the recognition.  First Nations ... have vast, rich histories [in] each and every community..."

About 200 First Nation chiefs, councillors, educators, elders and youth stood in solidarity on the declaration.

'Infusing' First Nations culture into curriculum

Reclaiming treaty rights is the only way for First Nations to end more than a century of educational neglect by the federal government , said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic.

"We cannot live the way our ancestors lived, living off the land," he said.

"We have to come in[to] this new livelihood and we see education as one of the means to achieve that."

Kakegamic said First Nations education must combine modern skills sets with traditional culture.

"We need to have our culture infused into our educational program ... we also ... need urban society academics."

Over the past few weeks NAN reports it has met with many municipal leaders to express its interest in developing collaborative working relationships to advocate for northern communities, both native and non-native, with a strong regional voice.

"We look forward to working closely with neighbouring municipalities to build and strengthen relationships and to look for ways to work together on regional education and economic development initiatives," said Kakegamic.

NAN reports it will continue negotiations with the federal government through the self-governance jurisdiction process to secure control of education jurisdiction in Nishnawbe Aski territory.

++++++

From NetNewsLedger.com

First Nation Education Treaty Right - NAN

7 November 2013NAN Education Declaration with DFC and Matawa Students standing with NAN leadership - Photo by Clyde Brandon Moonias

NAN Education Declaration with DFC and Matawa Students standing with NAN leadership - Photo by Clyde Brandon Moonias

Education in NAN will not be based on federal legislation

THUNDER BAY - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic stood in unity with Chiefs, Councillors, First Nation educators, Elders and youth today to confirm and declare First Nations Inherent and Treaty Right to control the future of education in NAN territory.

"Today we stand in unity to declare that the future of education in NAN will not be based on federal legislation but on our inherent right to self-government, including education jurisdiction," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno. "The Government of Canada has failed to meet its obligation to deliver education to First Nation students on par with the rest of Canada. No longer will we allow our children to be denied their inherent right to education." 

"This is a historic day as NAN leadership stands together to assert our inherent right to lay the path forward for education for the sake of our children and our children's children," said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, who holds the education portfolio. "We have a sacred trust to our children and future generations to provide a quality education that respects our culture, values, and traditions while enabling them to live safe, healthy and productive lives, and today we are taking action to make that a reality." 

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Declaration on Our Inherent and Treaty Right to Education was endorsed by Chiefs-in-Assembly following three days of meetings by more than 200 delegates at Chiefs Summit on Education in Thunder Bay. The Declaration rightfully claims that the Government of Canada shall: 

  • Acknowledge and respect our Inherent Right to Education. 
  • Respect the educational obligations made by the Crown to our people through Treaty No. 9 and Treaty No. 5. 
  • Recognize our rejection of the imposition of the First Nations Education Act. 
  • Support NAN First Nations by recognizing our right to self-govern our education systems. 

Over the past few weeks NAN has met with many municipal leaders to express NAN's interest in developing collaborative working relationships to advocate for Northern communities, both native and non-native, with a strong regional voice.

Related articles

 

Tags: