Frequently Asked Questions

Is legislation the answer to a better education system for First Nations?

First Nation children who attend schools on reserve are the only children in Canada whose education is not governed by comprehensive education-specific legislation, except for a limited number of First Nation children whose education falls under self-government agreements.

While legislation alone cannot ensure better education results, legislation could govern the quality of education and help to strengthen partnership arrangements, which are proving critical to the success of First Nation students.

Some educational experts recommend the introduction of First Nation education legislation to provide the framework for reform and better results.

What is the role of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in First Nation elementary and secondary education?

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) funds band councils and First Nation education authorities for the elementary and secondary education of First Nation children living on reserve .

AANDC funds:

• instructional services in on-reserve schools operated by the First Nation or by the federal government;
• the reimbursement to provinces for tuition costs of on-reserve students who attend provincial schools off-reserve; and
• support services such as transportation, counselling, accommodation and financial assistance.

A number of project-based initiatives provide funding for additional education services designed to support improved educational outcomes, such as professional development for teaching staff, teacher recruitment and retention, greater parent and community engagement in education, the implementation of school success plans and tracking of results.

In 2009-2010, AANDC’s Elementary and Secondary Program supported approximately 118,000 First Nation students who live on reserve and attend band-operated schools, federal schools or provincial or private schools off reserve.

The total budget for elementary and secondary education is approximately $1.4 billion.

What does AANDC’s $1.4 billion budget for elementary and secondary education cover?

Funding is used for teachers’ salaries, instructional services, and student support services such as transportation, counselling, accommodation and financial assistance.

Funding is also used for education management, curriculum and language development, teacher recruitment and retention strategies, engagement of parents and the community in education, and for technological and other resources and supplies, including computers.

The $1.4 billion budget also includes $118 million for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreements, and $36 million for the Mi’kmaq Education Authority.

What is the role of First Nations in education?

First Nations or their regional organizations are responsible for managing and delivering education programs and services in band-operated schools on reserve.

How many First Nation students live on reserve and where do they go to school?

There are approximately 118,000 First Nation students living on reserve and funded by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada..

About 60% attend band-operated or federal schools on reserve and 40% go to provincial schools or to private schools off reserve.

How many on-reserve schools are there?

In total, there are 520 band-operated schools and seven federal schools (six in Ontario and one in Alberta).

How do First Nation students fare compared with the rest of Canadians?

Since 1996, the proportion of First Nation students obtaining high school or higher certification has steadily improved.

However, the high school completion rate for First Nation residents on reserve is 40% for students between the ages of 20 and 24, compared with 56% for Aboriginal students in provincial public schools and 86% for all Canadians.

What about First Nation students off reserve and Inuit and Métis students? Does the Government of Canada have a plan to assist these children?

AANDC’s mandate is to provide elementary and secondary education to First Nation children residing on reserve. The education of students off reserve, including Métis children, falls under the jurisdiction of provincial and territorial governments. Nevertheless, the Government of Canada is working to encourage the provinces, territories and Aboriginal peoples to consider how all levels of government can work together to address this important issue. We all share the goal of improving education for Aboriginal children.