Bringing awareness to this decades old issue!  

Overview

The indigenous education inequality crisis is a huge issue in Canada. Particular emphasis should be paid to inequities on First Nations reserves. First Nations people have a 14.3 percentage point lower employment ratio than the rest of the population. It is no surprise that the higher education graduation rate of First Nations students was only 35.3 percent in 2011. When compared to their non-Indigenous counterpart’s 78 percent graduation rate, the educational gap becomes extremely concerning. For many first nations students, the average funding for education in reserves is $6,800. For schools that are funded provincially, each student's funds are $11,000. First Nations schools receive 40 to 50 percent less per student than their off-reserve counterparts. 

Not only is the Indigenous Education funding being neglected but schools funded provincially have no education inequality, but First Nations schools do. This is due to the majority of school divisions having primary Caucasians who will be authorizing these schools. The reserves can either continue education the way they see fit and with less funding, or they can give up their rights for education for proper funding.

Political Significance

The indigenous education inequality is politically significant because it provides indigenous children and adults with no opportunity to exercise their rights. At the time it was noticed it brought importance to the issues as many Canadians saw what was happening to the indigenous. The issue of inequality has not changed much over the last few years. The Indian Residential School system is one of the most bitter, demoralizing legacies of colonialism. According to the 2016 Canadian census, almost one in three aboriginal people have no secondary education or equivalency certificate. The inequality of education heavily impacted and left deep consequences such as the Indian Residential Schools system.

Due to residential schools, the indigenous peoples of Canada did not receive the same education as other Canadians. They also received underfunding, not enough employment and school infrastructure not suitable for learning. Truth and Reconciliations were made for the consequences of this and how the indigenous people were treated.

The issue of inequality of education occupies a big meaningful place for many indigenous communities such as the Métis, First Nations, Ojibwa, etc. This is due to trauma they have experienced in the last few years and still are facing these challenges. This issue is well remembered through declaration and generation to come.

The issues of education inequality has allowed people, non-indigenous and indigenous to understand what had happened in the past. Not just online showing the political significance of this civic issue but also displaying the importance of this issue and allowing people to better their values and beliefs about indigenous peoples. Allowing you to understand many issues that Indigenous faced years ago but this impacts them from generations.

Varying Perspectives on the Matter

Indigenous Peoples: The detrimental effects of the Indigenous education system on the long-term health of Indigenous children has changed the way they see the government.  Do they give up on their rights for their education for proper funding, or do we continue education our way — which is still predominantly by the curriculum that the provinces set out — and do that with less funding.  However, there is no guarantee that long-term, sustainable funding will support quality and culturally relevant education. The First Nations are tired of waiting and continue to wait for help but are not receiving help any time soon. 

Evan Taypotat a First Nations Leader says the new generation of First Nations leaders are ready to “get radical” to force the Federal government to address funding differences between First Nations schools and their provincial counterparts. “We have to be radical,” he says. “Prime Minister Trudeau got elected, and a lot of First Nations voted for him based on [fixing] the funding gap.  Because we`re sitting out here, we are funded a million dollars less than we would be if we lived in Broadview.

Non-Indigenous Peoples/Canadian Society: The perspective of the non-indigenous/Canadian society is that they see this issue as a great way to boost the economy due to the employment shortage and that is a great way to help Canada through politics, economy, and society.  But they see the issue and want to help for the benefits as if there is no equal educational funding for the Indigenous communities and peoples it will not allow Canada to grow more and want to support them in the way for the benefits that the education will provide to Canada. 

Federal/Provincial Government: The perspective of the federal government is that they believe that the Government of Canada supports the strengthening of First Nations education. However, they are not providing this, and if they aren't making a big impact on the Indigenous communities and their cry for help. The Provincial Government on the other hand. The perspective of the Ministry of Education or Provincial government is that the Ontario Ministry of Education's goal is to improve the academic success and well-being of Indigenous students in the province. The provincial government is trying its best to help but is not making as big an impact as they do not fund or are responsible for indigenous education, unlike the Federal government. It supports lifelong learning and career development through a variety of means, including postsecondary training and employment . 

Why action is needed

• There has been marked progress in integrating Indigenous education into Ontario's schools, but many challenges remain. This is because schools in these regions have a limited number of Indigenous students. 
• Despite the treaties, the quality of education for First Nations students in Canada has not changed. There has been no significant change in the regulations or the educational governance structures in Canada. Even so, Canada did not enact an educational act, regulations, significant educational governance mechanisms, programming, or curriculum support initiatives
• The change is still needed and long due as there are many reasons the education inequality of indigenous peoples is still here. There are three types of First Nations education in the country. These include provincial schools, federal schools, and local schools. This is evidenced by the increasing number of programs that deal with Indigenous education.
• The education inequality throughout Canada such as policies and development programs that were imposed on indigenous peoples have exacerbated poverty, lost their lands, and affected their cultures and languages. This is why the right to education is an essential human right.
• From statistics we are able to observe the challenge of education inequality in Canada. For instance There are over 300,000 Indigenous peoples in Ontario. Only 39% of First Nations students graduate from high school. And there is a 20% gap on Grade 3 EQAO reading results (provincial standard achievement) between Indigenous students (47%) and the general population (67%).

How action can be taken

Taking action on this decades old issue will not only allow positive change and upbringing but contribute to the years old battle Indigenous peoples have been facing.  As the upcoming generation that will run this country. We should strive to create a positive influence/change so the future for everyone, especially indigenous people can be equal. 

Member of Government Federal/Provincial: 

• Make an age-appropriate curriculum on internships, contracts, and  historical and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada a mandatory educational requirement for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Provide the necessary resources for post-secondary institutions to train teachers on how to incorporate indigenous knowledge and teaching methods in the classroom.
• Recruit high-level positions in government, vice-ministerial level or higher, that deal with the content of indigenous education.
• Ontario currently has an Office of Aboriginal Education under the jurisdiction of the  Deputy Minister for French Language, Aboriginal Learning and Research. The Ministry of Education must appoint a specific Vice Minister of Indigenous Education. 
• First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities  at all levels (schools, school authorities and ministries) should be involved in developing strategies and professional development for educators to support indigenous education.

School Boards Across Canada

• Exchange of information and good practices on curricula related to boarding schools and indigenous history.
• Strengthen students' ability to develop intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
• Identify teacher training needs in relation to the needs of indigenous students and teaching.
• Display and use Aboriginal resources such as musical instruments, artwork, maps, flags, or books.

Publicly/Society 

• Consider teaching in a First Nations community. There are  many across the country who are looking for enthusiastic and intelligent teachers who are committed to understanding First Nations people and who are interested in social justice. You can find many at Education Canada.
• Suggest looking for a local First Nations organization or agency and apply for volunteer positions that match your skills. Many local friendship centers are the hub of First Nations communities and are a great resource for finding out what volunteer positions are available in your  city.
• Help using small influence such as sharing petitions, posters, or social media posts to bring awareness to these issues 

 

Joining this Petition will not only lead to positive change but a better Canadian society for the future generations and for everyone to be treated equally. This is where we start permanent change!