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AFN and Quebec Chiefs press releases ...

National Chief responds to Aboriginal Affairs Committee's report on post-secondary education

     OTTAWA, Feb. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - There is an urgent need to increase financial support for both First Nations' students and First Nations controlled institutions in Canada, according to a report released this week by the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development entitled "No Higher Priority - Aboriginal Post-secondary Education in Canada".

     "I am very pleased that this Parliamentary committee calls for the removal of the 2 % cap for post-secondary education, and recognizes the importance for First Nations controlled post-secondary institutions," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "The federal government must provide necessary financial support and ensure recognition of First Nations' institutions."

     The report recommends that the federal government take immediate action to provide adequate funding to every eligible student based on actual costs and acknowledged "a failure to invest in the future of First Nations and Inuit learners now would also undoubtedly entail immeasurable long-term costs".

     The Assembly of First Nations applauds the timely release of this report, in advance of the federal budget, because the AFN has for many years clearly articulated the urgent needs for First Nations students and First Nations controlled institutions to no avail.

     "We have a young and growing population who need full access to all levels of education," said the National Chief. "We want our children to be able to have the opportunity to make significant contributions to their communities, and to Canada."

     The report concludes that "the successes of Aboriginal-controlled institutions should be acknowledged by government, supported and built upon.
In our view, government's objective should be to put in place measures that strengthen and promote the long-term viability of these key institutions for the future of Aboriginal post-secondary education".

     The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

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/For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789 ext. 229 or cell.: (613) 293-6106; Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief, (613) 241-6789 ext. 243 or (613) 298-6382, npine@afn.ca

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Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Calls for a Non-Partisan, Practical, Forward-Looking Approach says Report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

QUEBEC, Feb. 16 - The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) and the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) have reacted positively to the report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development entitled, "No Higher Priority: Aboriginal Post-secondary Education in Canada".

The report puts forward 10 key recommendations, which need to be implemented in the short and long term by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in collaboration with First Nations.

Ms. Lise Bastien, Director of the FNEC located in Wendake, Quebec, stated, "We are pleased to see that the Parliamentary Committee has confirmed and recognizes the problems connected with post-secondary education among First Nations. The elimination of the 2% annual cap and the assurance of admissibility for First Nations students to post-secondary education are urgent measures to put in place.

"Another major priority is the availability of basic funding and support for the creation of First Nations post-secondary education institutions. These institutions are an obvious solution for the improvement of academic success among our students. This measure should be considered immediately," she added.

The Parliamentary Committee also recommends that INAC rectify the anomaly of vocational training affecting the First Nations of Quebec, who have raised this question for years now.

"It is completely unjustified and unacceptable that the Government of Canada still demands to this day more studies and analyses in order to demonstrate what the Committee has stated in its report. A number of previous studies and reports already confirmed the Committee's conclusions and if the government ignores these recommendations, it will have to assume full responsibility for and accept the consequences of the First Nations social and economic situation," stated Mr. Ghislain Picard, Regional Chief of the AFNQL.

"The new Government of Canada has the responsibility to act in an honourable manner and to collaborate with First Nations in order to implement these recommendations immediately," he affirmed.

The FNEC has represented 22 communities throughout Quebec for over twenty years now. Its principal mission is to defend the interests of First Nations communities in order to improve the educational services that are offered to all First Nations students.

The APNQL is the regional organization which represents the Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador.

For further information: Lise Bastien, Director, First Nations Education Council, (418) 842-7672, lbastien@cepn-fnec.com.