• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

B.C. First Nations Sign Education Agreement to Boost Pride and the Grad Rate

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 July 2006, 21:00 CDT

By TERRI THEODORE

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. (CP) - After decades of abuse in native residential schools, B.C. First Nations are moving in the opposite direction to educate their children with a new agreement on aboriginal education.

"The purpose of (residential) schools was to take the Indian out of the kids," said First Nations Summit Chief Ed John, who himself went to a residential school for seven years.

The framework agreement between the B.C. and federal governments and natives gives First Nations control over their children's education.

After legislation has been changed by both governments natives would be able to certify teachers and schools and establish their own curriculum and exam standards.

John believes the changes will allow them to close the huge graduation gap between natives and non-natives.

"Anything has got to be better than what we have now," he said.

"Our kids are dropping out like flies. What better message (is there) than having your communities taking the responsibility for (their) kids."

Nathan Matthew, the negotiator with the First Nations education steering committee, told a news conference Wednesday the system is created on the ashes of the residential school system.

"The signing of this education agreement today will empower B.C. First Nations to deliver quality education on their own terms," he said.

"Education that reflects First Nations culture, tradition and provides contemporary knowledge and skills."

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell believes the changes will increase graduation rates for native children, which hovers below 50 per cent.

"It's very important to recognize people's history and to show respect for their culture," he said.

Campbell pointed out the Nisga'a nation in northwest B.C. improved its graduation rate to more than 60 per cent when it took over its education program.

He said the goal is to not only give young First Nations the education they need, but to ground them in their own culture and traditions, "so they have a sense of confidence they need to deal with the world."

"In the past we have failed young First Nations students," the premier said.

Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice called the program a model for other provinces to follow.

"There are other provinces such as Nova Scotia and Alberta, Quebec, that are similarly interested in the concept," he said.

Prentice said the education idea has been tested in the past.

"Everywhere where we've tried pilot projects. . .where the First Nations community has been heavily involved in the education system, we've had great success."

Neither Prentice nor Premier Campbell would say what the program may cost, but said it would be funded with startup costs and on a per-student basis.

Squamish First Nations Chief Gibby Jacob, who hosted the news conference, said the importance of the announcement is underscored by the generations of system failures natives have tried to learn under.

Source: Canadian Press

More News in this Category