Reform coming for First Nation students

Our news & views

February 11, 2012

A national panel on Aboriginal education has released a report and recommendations that include developing a new First Nation education system to provide support and resources for First Nation schools and First Nation students.

The panel also said that the federal government should:

  • ensure adequate funding to support First Nation education
  • co-create a child-centered First Nation Education Act
  • create a National Commission for First Nation Education that would support education reform and improvement
  • establish an accountability and reporting framework to assess improvement in First Nation education

Per pupil funding for First Nation students far below provincial averages

Currently the federal government provides per pupil funding for First Nation students at a rate that is $2,000 to $3,000 below what provinces provide for non-Aboriginal students. Only half of First Nation youth graduate from high school, compared to more than 80 per cent of other Canadian children, and only eight percent of First Nation people have a university degree.

First Nation youth are the fastest growing demographic group in Canada, and more than half of First Nation peoples are under 25.

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards estimates that Canada would gain $401 billion in increased productivity and reduced expenses over 25 years if First Nation individuals had the same education and employment outcomes as the average Canadian.

To read the full report, and the letter from Scott Haldane, George Lafond, and Caroline Krause, co-chairs of the panel, just click here.

Join the Discussion »

  • Aboriginal education in Ontario

    The Aboriginal population is often forgotten in discussions across the board, but education is the most important one that many people are unfamiliar with. The Aboriginal population in Canada is the fastest growing population in the country, and the potential work force is being ignored. There are many restrictions to solving this dilemma; you can’t simply get rid of Reserves or force Aboriginal children into off-reserve schools. I would encourage everyone to discuss this issue in a positive manner with their school boards; MLAs, MPs as well as their local Aboriginal population, to gain a better understanding of how Aboriginal Education affects everyone in the province in all areas. I know that there are a lot of issues which I did not touch on, but please fell free to contribute you comments or questions. All ideas on how we can better the current situation would be greatly appreciated.  View the full discussion.