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NAN rejects report on First Nation post-secondary school funding

THUNDER BAY, ON, March 18 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose has rejected a recent report that recommends stripping First Nations of local control over the Post-Secondary School Support Program (PSSSP) for their students.

Free to Learn: Giving Aboriginal Youth Control over Their Post-Secondary Education, was released March 15, 2010 by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute for Public Policy.

"We reject this report's recommendation that control over post-secondary funding be taken away from us," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose, who holds the education portfolio. "In fact, there is a strong series of documentation that demonstrates the success and best practices of First Nations' administration in the delivery of post-secondary funding."

Studies including Focusing Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Post Secondary Education Program: Targets and Impacts (2009 report for the Assembly of First Nations) and No Higher Priority: Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education in Canada, a Report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (2007), support NAN's position that control over post-secondary school funding should remain with First Nations and that the current two per cent funding cap on education should be removed.

"Finger-pointing at First Nations over the delivery of the PSSSP ignores the chronic underfunding of First Nations education, which is the real issue that needs to be addressed by the Government of Canada," said Waboose, who has repeatedly called for increased federal funding for First Nations education. "Education is a treaty right for NAN First Nations, and we are adamant that post-secondary funding must remain under our administration and control."

The Post-Secondary Student Support Program has been in place since the early 1970s and is administered by individual First Nations funded through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) regional offices. Funding is allocated based on National Program Guidelines established by INAC.

The PSSSP currently provides more than $300 million in non-repayable financial aid for First Nation students attending colleges and universities. Funding covers the costs of tuition, books, supplies, limited travel and partial living allowances for students and their dependents as well as tutorial, guidance and counseling services.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5 - an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.

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For further information: Amy Harris, Media Relations Officer, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4906 or (807) 252-2806 mobile or by email: aharris@nan.on.ca 

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Ontario Native Education Counselling Association: Response to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute for Public Policy - Free to Learn

NAUGHTON, ONTARIO -- 03/16/10 -- The document Free to Learn is a proposal being put forward by a right wing conservative think tank. This is a proposal based on ideology rather than facts. It is a one size fits all approach which does not consider the economic realities of First Nations people, the critical support mechanism that contribute to First Nation student success, nor do they acknowledge the fundamental success of the Post Secondary Student Support Program.

The paper lacks credibility because it is not based on sound research and it does not have concise data to support it. The MacDonald-Laurier report is attempting to manipulate the general public and First Nations into believing that establishing a Aboriginal Post -Secondary Account for each Aboriginal is a means of committing to Aboriginal education. No where does the proposal give an analysis of the actual cost of post secondary in 18 years from birth. Under this proposal, students would only be able to afford one year of post-secondary.

The report fails to note the fact that the Post Secondary Student Support Program has been highly successful, supporting approximately 23,000 students last year. The potential for greater success exists if the current funding cap is removed. The proposal fails to note the important role fulfilled by our local education counsellors, and student support workers. There is no analysis provided about the issues such as higher success rates in college education versus university education; the gender attainment gap, or the need for equitable resources and service provision for First Nation students through JK to secondary.

It remains our view that post secondary education is a constitutional right not a discretionary program. The idea of establishing a Aboriginal Post Secondary Account with a phase in period of 6 years while giving the government the authority to determine what is equitable and basing it on the availability of funds at the time is ridiculous. This approach will put students at the mercy of the government with no real guarantee that the government will be able to honour their commitments.

From our perspective this report is a disguised path of institutional assimilation, and is a diversion from the real problem which is; that there has been a 2% funding cap on post secondary since 1996; the inability of INAC to affectively deliver its own program which has been pointed out by the auditor general on several occasions; and that First Nation education in all areas have not been adequately resourced for many years.

All stages of First Nation education require attention and support. As the fastest growing population in Canada and as confirmed by countless studies, enhancing the investment in First Nation post secondary education is a critical requirement that will have significant dividends to both First Nation and Canadian societies and economies as stated in the Report of Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (2007).

I raise these issues because there have been numerous reports floating around that are intended to discredit First Nations, while at the same time giving the impression that the government is increasing additional support for education.

I urge you to share this information with your community members, students, parents and state your objection to this misguided and ill-informed policy proposal.

Respectfully

Cindy Fisher, President  

Contacts:
Ontario Native Education Counselling Association
Cindy Fisher
President
(705) 692-2999
(705) 692-9988 (FAX)
oneca@oneca.com
www.oneca.com