APTN National News
OTTAWA–The Assembly of First Nations is planning to hold a special, self-funded chiefs’ gathering on education in October in the Ottawa region.
The AFN said in a statement that the three day gathering would be held between Oct. 2 to 4 in either Ottawa or in Gatineau, Que.
The AFN said the gathering will be organized with no government money, but be “completely self-sufficient.”
A spokesperson for the AFN said part of the funding would come from registration fees and sponsors.
“Our direction forward must address the treaty right to education, First Nation jurisdiction over education, fairness and equity in funding and resources to support language and cultural instruction,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo in the statement. “First Nations are the youngest and fastest growing segment of the population. Their future is Canada’s future.”
The education gathering was mandated by AFN-member chiefs during the last annual general assembly in Toronto which saw the re-election of Atleo.
The AFN said that 219 First Nations communities need new schools and 70 per cent of those communities have been waiting for a new school for five years and 13 per cent have been waiting for more than 20 years.
“First Nation schools and infrastructures require predictable, adequate and stable funding supported by strong First nations systems,” said Atleo. “Delivering a curriculum that respects our rights, our languages and identities and strengthens the fabric of our families and communities.”
