News Release – National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education Delivers Final Report to National Chief Atleo and Minister Duncan

Child-focused investments in First Nation education will benefit all Canadians

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – Following an extensive, nation-wide engagement process, the members of the National Panel on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education have delivered their final report to the National Panel’s co-sponsors, Mr. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

The report of the National Panel, entitled Nurturing the Learning Spirit of First Nation Students, outlines three key principles for reform and five recommendations the National Panel considers to be essential to improving education outcomes for First Nation students.

The key principles are:

• Putting children at the center of First Nation education reform;
• Founding the reform on Canadian political reconciliation; and
• Sharing accountability for First Nation education reform.

The recommendations are to:

• Co-create a child-centered First Nation Education Act;
• Create a National Commission for First Nation Education to support education reform and improvement;
• Facilitate and support the creation of a First Nation education system through the development of regional First Nation Education organizations to provide support and services for First Nation schools and First Nation students;
• Ensure adequate funding to support a First Nation education system that meets the needs of First Nation learners, First Nation communities and Canada as a whole; and
• Establish an accountability and reporting framework to assess improvement in First Nation education.

The three-member panel was mandated to advise the co-sponsors on the development of options, including legislation, to improve elementary and secondary education outcomes for First Nation children living on reserves. Beginning on June 21, 2011, the National Panel led a national process with engagement sessions in eight regions, including roundtable meetings, visits to First Nation schools and communities, and holding several key meetings with experts. The process concluded with a national roundtable meeting on November 22, 2011 in Ottawa.

Participants included First Nation students, parents, teachers, leaders, elders, school administrators and experts, provincial officials and the private sector. In addition, anyone with views on how to improve First Nation elementary and secondary education was able to contribute through a dedicated website wherein participants could post, vote and comment on ideas, complete questionnaires and submit and/or read written submissions online.

"Long-term, predictable funding, jurisdiction, quality teacher recruitment and retention, technology and distance learning capabilities, traditional languages and culture, as well as early age proficiency in numeracy and literacy, were areas identified by participants that we can -- and must -- improve on,"said panel chair Scott Haldane. "Once implemented, we believe the recommendations in this report will respond to the desires and needs articulated by the many First Nations who have shared their voices with us."

Engagement participants also noted that communities as a whole have an important role to play in supporting and strengthening schools and student success. In addition, strong governance structures and sound infrastructure were identified as necessary components of a quality education system and key to increasing graduation rates for First Nation students.

First Nation youth represent the fastest growing demographic group in Canada. More than half of First Nation peoples are under age 25 and 350,000 are under 14. 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. Employment levels for First Nation students who graduate from university, however, are virtually identical to other Canadians.

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.

"The National Panel has heard the voices of First Nation leaders, educators, elders, parents and students in every region of Canada,"said Haldane. "My colleagues Caroline Krause, George Lafond and I have focused on delivering a report that will help support the many effective partnerships that currently exist to advance First Nation education, and help to close the gap in education experiences and outcomes for many First Nation students so they will have fulfilling and productive futures."

An electronic copy of the Panel’s report will be available on the Panel’s website (www.firstnationeducation.ca) before end of day on February 8.

For media inquiries please contact:
Malcolm Bernard
613-612-0096 (cell)
malcolm@interplaymedia.ca