ROCKY BAY FIRST NATION, ONTARIO - The chief negotiators for participating First Nations within the Anishinabek Nation and for Canada today initialled an Education Agreement-in-Principle (AIP).

The AIP sets the groundwork for the negotiation of a Final Agreement through which participating First Nations will be able to implement legislative and administrative jurisdiction over primary, elementary and secondary education for members living on-reserve. This historic Agreement is one of the first of its kind in Ontario.

A Final Agreement on education will enhance participating First Nations’ abilities to better determine their own future and to deliver culturally relevant education programs and services through their own education laws and institutions. Self-government agreements such as this promote a new relationship between First Nation governments and the Government of Canada.

The Anishinabek Nation represents approximately 30% of the total First Nation population in Ontario. The student enrolment base includes approximately 5,000 students in primary, elementary and secondary education programs, and 2,100 in post-secondary education programs.

The Province of Ontario while not participating in these negotiations, has been kept apprised of developments in the negotiations. "Today was a long time coming. It has been almost 30 years since the National Indian Brotherhood policy paper, Indian Control of Indian Education, firmly laid out the principles of parental involvement and local control as the basis of First Nations jurisdiction over education," said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Vernon Roote.

"By this agreement we may reach some of the goals established in 1973. At present, the

federal government delegates very limited decision-making powers to First Nations and retains control over the determination and allocation of resources for education for our people. Current statistics show that the needs of our students are not being met. It is our right and our responsibility to give our children the kind of education they need and deserve."

"The government recognizes the important role of education in shaping a positive future for First Nation communities in general and their youth, in particular," said Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. "The agreement demonstrates that the Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nation people to build stronger communities and strengthen their capacity to govern themselves through control of their education systems and institutions."

Anishinabek Nation Head Negotiator, Merle Pegahmagabow, expressed eagerness to get down to the business of creating and implementing the Anishinabek education system. "The main purpose of the AIP is to set out what we will be negotiating in the Final Agreement stage and we look forward to developing our education system with the involvement of our community members and Anishinabek education experts."

Chief Federal Negotiator, Sheila Murray, reiterated this message: "Concluding this stage of negotiations with the Anishinabek Nation is quite a milestone. The aim of these negotiations is to pave the way for improvements in education that will pay off at the individual and community level, enabling participating First Nations to become full and active participants in economic development through effective education programs and services that meet community needs." Negotiations between Canada and the Anishinabek Nation deal specifically with self-government for member First Nation communities in north, central, eastern, and southern Ontario. Formal negotiations began in 1998 with respect to the exercise of First Nation jurisdiction in the areas of education and governance. The Anishinabek Nation is a leader within Ontario using creative and innovative approaches in the field of First Nation education.