There is no approach that will fit all First Nations

If a new education system is to be put in place that will fully benefit First Nations children, it has to be First Nations-driven and in “true partnership” with the federal government.

“There are no two sides when we’re trying to work on a true partnership and a good relationship so a child can benefit,” said Morley Googoo, regional chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, who holds the portfolio for education for the Assembly of First Nations.

Googoo’s comments followed a Special Chiefs Assembly held by the AFN in the beginning of October, as well as the announcement by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan that the federal government was forging ahead on a First Nations Education Act.

“The message from the Special Chiefs Assembly (is that the) legislation, one-size-fits-all approach, is not going to be acceptable and that there has to be better ways and  better approaches taken in order for First Nations to be a real partner,” Googoo said.

In the House of Commons on Oct. 4, New Democrat MP Jean Crowder pushed Duncan on the chiefs’ disapproval of federal action.

“First Nations chiefs from across the country voted to reject the government’s unilateral decisions on education… Chiefs are threatening civil disobedience to force the government to deal with the crisis in First Nations education,” Crowder said.

Duncan said he had met with AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo “to reaffirm our commitment to develop legislation through intensive consultations with First Nations across the country.”

What is important for Duncan and other Canadians to understand, Googoo says, is that there are 634 First Nations communities, various tribes, and 52 different languages, and some regions are in worse shape than others.

“Legislation unilaterally without real input and real voices heard in that Legislature on what regional diversities mean and taken into consideration, is not a solution to the drop-out rates, to the outcomes we are achieving right now. And (it) is not a solution that embraces the language and culture that First Nations are saying we want back,” Googoo said.

Adding to the frustration of Duncan’s announcement of unilateral movement on the part of the government is the fact that education figured prominently in the First Nations-Crown gathering which took place earlier this year.

“I try not to think negative when it comes down to government trying to do ill will on Natives. I think hopefully those days are gone. I think there are some good intentions there that we should get moving towards a better education system,” Googoo said.

Duncan stirred the pot further when he announced that First Nations students were not underfunded, an assertion First Nations have been making for years. Duncan said Aboriginal Affairs spent more than $13,500 per full time equivalent First Nations elementary and secondary student in the 2010-2011 school year.

Googoo is not so charitable with his response to Duncan’s claim, also criticizing the minister for his timing.

“That kind of information coming out from the government is not the greatest approach if you’re really wanting to look at finding and working together on a good relationship. It looked as if (the government) had to justify itself before it was even asked or anything,” said Googoo.

Criticism was also strong from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, which invited Duncan to visit reserves in Saskatchewan to experience first-hand the state of the education system.

“It is extremely disappointing that the federal government continues to issue inaccurate numbers about First Nations education in Saskatchewan,” said Simon Bird, FSIN Vice-Chief, at a news conference.

Information available on the Aboriginal Affairs Website states the per pupil funding is calculated based on First Nations students attending schools both on and off reserve as well as private schools. There is no figure offered as to what dollars on-reserve students receive.

Googoo said the Chiefs Committee on Education and National Indian Education will continue to move forward and build on the direction received at the Special Chiefs Assembly. Chiefs called for equitable, sustainable, and predictable funding; good quality and up to date schools; focus on First Nations culture and language; and regional solutions.

It is clear, said Googoo, that the success rate for First Nations schools that fall under First Nations jurisdiction, such as in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, is much higher than their federally-controlled counterparts.

“We have to make sure, no matter what, that we listen to First Nations communities and the people. And that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

Googoo wants to provide a number of strategy options for consideration at the December Special Chiefs Assembly.

“We want to be rich. If we’re going to teach our kids we have to teach them our way. Western education and provincial standards are a guide and a bar for our kids to achieve opportunities out there in the Canadian economy, but it also has to be foundationed with who we are,” Googoo said.