The federal government needs to support the education of First Nations children now and not bring in more legislation, according to a new independent report by three First Nations groups.
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations vice-chief Simon Bird says the government needs to stop going around First Nations leadership — and instead, focus on ending a funding arrangement that discriminates against First Nations children.
Bird says the three organizations are also calling on Canadians “to stop pointing fingers”.
The FSIN, along with chiefs in Northern Ontario and Quebec, created their own recommendations in opposition to a National Panel on First Nations Education that is supported by the Assembly of First Nations.
Bird says that process — set up by the federal government — does not address the real community issues affecting the lives of students, because it won’t provide local solutions.
The parallel report was presented to the AFN’s annual assembly earlier this week.