OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Government of Canada says education for First Nations is a priority. Today the Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) announced the establishment of the National Working Group on Education. A move in the right direction, he says, to ensuring First Nation children have the same opportunities and quality of life that many Canadians enjoy.

The Minister’s National Working Group on Education will provide findings to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) on how, in partnership with First Nations, the department can better foster excellence in First Nation education and help narrow the unacceptable gap in academic results between First Nations students and other Canadian students. The Working Group is comprised of 13 Aboriginal members from across Canada. They will review various issues surrounding First Nation education, such as the development of First Nation education capacity, teacher recruitment/retention and professional development, Aboriginal content in curriculum (culture and language), pedagogy and standards, increased parental involvement, and national education instruments. The input provided to the Government of Canada by the Minister’s National Working Group on Education will help determine the next steps required to improve results for the First Nations children who are currently in school, as well as for those will be in school in the future.

"Investing in First Nation education is an investment in the economic future of First Nation communities. That means it is a solid investment in the future of Canada," said Minister Nault. "The advice of the National Working Group will help us to move forward in very real ways," he continued. "Immediate action must be taken on a number of fronts because improving First Nation education today means a better future for all Canadians tomorrow." Honourable Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), agrees. "We need to enable and empower First Nation children. Education is the way to do that. This group will provide focus and bring together the invaluable information needed to reduce the unacceptable education gap between First Nation and other Canadians students," he explained.

The Government of Canada funds the delivery of elementary and secondary education to First Nation children living on-reserve. It has reinforced its commitment to education for First Nations in both the Speech from the Throne and the 2001 Budget. The Government of Canada will spend $947 M in 2002-2003 for the provision of elementary and secondary education needs of approximately 120,000 First Nations students across Canada. The Government of Canada remains committed to the principle of "Indian control of Indian education".