Our Children Our Future Our Vision - People for Education

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Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision INAC has failed to give Parliament the real picture on First Nation housing, having said that it increased housing stock overall, but we found that there was an actual decline of 30%. 2004 OAG Report 131 In this report it was noted that although INAC carried out many studies, it made limited progress in addressing any of the issues and recommendations made in previous Audit reports in 2000. Further, INAC can’t even say whether the current funding is sufficient to meet education standards which have resulted in a widening gap in education achievement levels that will take at least 28 years to close. The funding formula created by INAC does not ensure equitable access to education for First Nations which results the achievement gap widening. 2008 OAG Report 132 The “persistent pattern of disadvantaged outcomes” and “inequitable results” stem from existing federal policies which remain unchanged. The “current funding practices do not lead to equitable funding among Aboriginal and First Nation communities”. These funding inequities result in the inability of First Nations to provide adequate child welfare services. 2011 OAG Report 133 INAC has failed to implement the recommendations which are “most important to lives and wellbeing of First Nations. The Auditor General Sheila Fraser summed up the situation by saying that socio-economic conditions in First Nations have worsened over the period of her reports. The education gap has widened and the shortage of housing on reserves has become more acute. 134 Yet, Canada’s response has been to focus on “accountability” and have made the administrative reporting requirements even more onerous than they already were. 135 As much as Canada would like to shirk its responsibilities to First Nations by blaming financial mismanagement for all these problems, the fact of the matter is that Canada’s own discriminatory policies and funding formulas are to blame. 131 OAG Report, 2004, supra note 71. 132 OAG Report, 2008, supra note 71. 133 OAG Report, 2011, supra note 71. 134 Office of the Auditor General of Canada, “2011 June Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada” (Ottawa: Auditor General of Canada, 2011), online: [OAG Status Report, 2011]. 135 Ibid. 27 Chiefs of Ontario
Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision Just in case there was any doubt about the magnitude of the problem facing First Nations, even INAC and outside experts have all found that Canada chronically underfunds First Nations in all critical social areas, not just education and that this underfunding is directly related to the negative outcomes we see highlighted in the media. 136 INAC 2004 137 The “inequitable access to services for First Nations [are] … contributing factors to the over-representation of Aboriginal children in child welfare system”. Neegan 2011 138 INAC is so behind in infrastructure funding for water and sewer on First Nations, that it will take $4.7 billion just to fix current systems. What is really difficult to comprehend is the failure of Canada to act in the face of overwhelming evidence. It is the status quo – the maintenance of First Nations in poverty – that costs Canada so much. Studies have shown that investments in education now would bring long-term benefits in increased GDP (an extra $179 billion) and result in cost savings to all involved. 139 There is no shortage of research to show that INAC has failed and continues to fail First Nations in education. However, the story does not end there as there has also been no shortage of solutions offered in numerous studies and panels to improve First Nations education. The only thing that seems to be lacking is the political will to take concrete action. Canada must take real action to resolve its own internal policy conflicts; relinquish its paternalistic control over First Nations once and for all; and ensure that all of its laws are compliant with Indigenous laws, Constitutional protections, Treaty promises, and human/Indigenous rights. 136 OAG Report, 2001 to OAG Report, 2011, supra note 71. 137 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Internal Document dated 2004 obtained by First Nation Child and Family Caring Society via Access to Information Request [INAC 2004] as cited in First Nation Child and Family Caring Society, “Jordan & Shannen: First Nations children demand that the Canadian Government stop racially discriminating against them” (Ottawa: Shadow Report: Canada 3 rd and 4 th Periodic Report to the UNCRC, 2011), online: [FNCFCS Report] at 5. 138 First Nation Water Report, supra note 87. 139 Assembly of First Nations, “It’s Our Time: A Call to Action on Education: A Year in Review: 2010-2011” (Ottawa: AFN, 2011), online: [AFN Report] at 4. A. Sharpe, J.F. Arsenault, “Investing in Aboriginal Education in Canada: An Economic Perspective” (Ottawa: Canada Policy Research Network, 2009), online: . Even the speedy resolution of treaties brings gains for Canadians: Price Waterhouse Coopers, “Financial and Economic Impacts of Treaty Settlements in BC” (November 2009), online: . Chiefs of Ontario 28
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