Metis Leader Encouraged About Senate Report
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 15:07
A recent recommendation by the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal People has caught the eye of a northern leader.
Cumberland House mayor and Metis Nation of Saskatchewan education minister Dale McAuley says the report’s suggestion that Ottawa remove restrictions on university funding for Metis and off-reserve Native people is a step in the right direction.
McAuley says the growing Aboriginal population is a demographic that can’t be ignored and Ottawa has to realize that.
He explains money for many northern families is tight enough right now without factoring in the many costs of sending someone away to school.
Right now, post-secondary student assistance is made available only to First Nations and Inuit youth living on-reserve.
McAuley says the report is a solid step forward for Metis students, but notes that it won’t mean anything unless acted upon.