Our Children Our Future Our Vision - People for Education

Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision
7. Summary of Recommendations
(1) Traditional Indigenous knowledges and languages must be a central
feature of any First Nation education policy and funding formula on a go
forward basis.
(2) It is imperative that the treaty right to education be recognized and fully
implemented without further delay.
(3) The inherent right of First Nations to assert their jurisdiction over First
Nation education must be recognized, protected and implemented without
delay.
(4) Canada must act immediately to meet with First Nations and develop an
emergency plan to address the crisis of poverty and lack of education
services in First Nations which would include devising a funding formula
based on need – not on “value for money”.
(5) Canada must stop deferring action to endless studies, panels and meetings
to identify the issues in First Nation education and move forward
with implementing the solutions already identified by First Nations.
(6) 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 provisions, and human/Indigenous rights.
(7) Canada must ensure that any changes in provincial education policy that
directly affects First Nations are adequately reflected in programming and
funding allocations to First Nations.
(8) Canada must work directly with First Nations to resolve the inadequacy
of the current funding formula to ensure that resources allocated address
the expressed educational needs of First Nations at all stages of the educational
spectrum.
(9) Canada must acknowledge and resolve the shortcomings of the audit
process for the Special Education Program in order to ensure adequate
funding is provided through a flexible funding authority based on valid
information.
(10) Canada must adhere to the requirements of free, prior and informed consent
when devising policy changes that directly affect First Nations.
(11) Canada must take real action on the recommendations of previous studies
and honour Treaty and constitutional obligations to work with First Nations
to address the funding barriers identified and ensure the education
funding provided supports the holistic, lifelong learning needs of all levels
First Nations education in Ontario.
55 Chiefs of Ontario