A Saskatchewan Nations spokesman says the federal government isn’t telling the truth about education funding.
In fact, says vice chief Simon Bird and other critics, the government funds only $6500 per student at reservation schools, less than half the $14,000 Minister John Duncan claimed at a recent press conference - $4,000 less than funding for provincial school students.
If Ottawa continues to short-change First Nations schools, adds Bird, it will result in long-term problems, and he’s invited Duncan to visit Saskatchewan so he can see for himself the state of these aboriginal schools, which serve over 15,000 students. Bird also suggests that the minister take another look at his figures and work harder to improve the situation.
Long criticized by aboriginal and human rights groups over inequalities, the government had agreed to work to resolve the problem. But just saying it’s fixed, doesn’t fix anything.
Tell Ottawa to fix its figures and don‘t short-change First Nations school children.
We, the undersigned, believe the Ottawa government cannot fix the inequities in its school system if it denies they exist.
Vice Chief Bird is not the only one pointing out the discrepancies in the government’s funding figures. The Assembly of First Nations told Winnepeg Free Press that the averages are $12,000 per student by government calculations vs. $7000 per student according theirs. One reason critics say government figures are faulty is because it has lumped in “students who go to school on reserves with students who attend provincial schools.” And critic Jean Crowder says she’s “disappointed that the government tries to hide behind misleading facts when it comes to providing adequate funding for these kids.”
Apparently these faulty figures have something to do with reports that the federal government is planning to make cuts to First Nations schools in 2014. The Assembly of Manitoba Chief told the Canadian Press that the cuts were “'an attempt to silence the political and advocacy voice of First Nations people.’”
Though the government is trying to claim that the funding is adequate -that it’s reform that’s needed - the national chief told the press it’s “both money and reform” that’s needed - “not one or the other.”
Reform has to begin with the government being honest about the facts. We request you fix the inequalities in both the schools and your figures.
Thank you for your time.
