Every child, no matter where they live in Canada, deserves a quality school and a quality education. The quality of First Nations education is improving, but not fast enough.

Fewer than half of First Nation youth graduate from high school, compared to close to 80 per cent of other Canadian children, and some 70 per cent do not have a post secondary degree or diploma.

Fortunately, the ability to greatly improve the odds of educational success for First Nations youth is within our grasp, and taking action now is a win-win situation for First Nations and every Canadian.

Closing the gap between educational achievement for youth in mainstream society and First Nations’ youth is the single biggest boost we can give Canada’s economy, where demand for skilled and knowledge-based workers is growing faster than the supply.

The National Panel on First Nations Elementary & Secondary Education is listening to First Nation communities and using their valuable insight and guidance to develop recommendations to achieve this national priority for today’s First Nations students.

A joint initiative of the Assembly of First Nations and Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada, the Panel will deliver its report to the federal minister and National Chief by year end.

Sincerely,

The National Panel
Scott Haldane, George Lafond, Caroline Krause