Pave path to indigenous education
Curtman @ Fri Oct 18, 2013 4:06 pm
Pave path to indigenous education
$1:
Last week, Queen's University, the University of Winnipeg, the Assembly of First Nations and the Metis Nation of Ontario hosted a national conference on indigenous education. The conference focused on how higher education translates into jobs for indigenous peoples across Canada. It was an opportunity to review new research.
The data contained good news: Efforts at post-secondary institutions to increase accessibility over the past 20 years are working. Census data since 1996, and the more recent national household survey, show the proportion of the indigenous population with a post-secondary education has increased to 42 per cent from 28 per cent. Indigenous adults with a post-secondary education now significantly outnumber those who have yet to complete high school.
There was, however, a disturbing note. While the number of indigenous students participating in post-secondary education nationally is rising, there remains a 20 per cent gap when compared to non-indigenous participation.
That gap has grown from a much lower 15 per cent in 1996 and is expected to continue to grow. For every two steps forward, there is one step back.
It was more disheartening to learn the Prairie provinces are falling behind, with some of the lowest levels of participation, despite a higher proportion of First Nations and Métis people. Educational achievement is one of the principal means through which people gain good quality employment and life opportunities. More attention must be paid to investment in the education of indigenous people in Manitoba.
An analysis by TD Economics showed where the jobs are and where they will be in the future. Now, indigenous people with post-secondary education are highly concentrated in the education and public health sectors.
It is a good thing that indigenous people are working in health and education, but why aren't they finding more jobs in the broader labour market where there is strong growth potential? There is also an issue of indigenous people not reaching the top jobs in health and education -- for example, being an in-home caregiver as opposed to a physician.
At the U of W, we have recognized the education gap and tried to address the challenge with our community learning strategy, partnering with schools and indigenous community organizations and governments, to help set indigenous children and youth on a path to university early.
The community learning programs demonstrate the power of listening and working in partnership, of connecting in a holistic way with families, and of the critical nature of culture as a foundation for success.
If you don't know who you are, you can believe the negative perceptions about indigenous people.
This investment holds big rewards if we succeed. We are talking about the youngest and fastest growing population in Canada. As the rest of the population ages, we will need youth to fill future skills shortages. We must ensure that every single Manitoba youth has the exposure and access to post-secondary education.
Much of what the U of W has achieved has been done, in large part, through the generosity of private funders with some help from government, but we are limited in our capacity to scale up.
We are reaching thousands, but there is so much more need than we can meet. This requires strong commitment and ongoing investment by government.
In Ontario, the provincial government commits $26 million a year for indigenous education initiatives through its postsecondary funding for aboriginal learners fund -- a portion of it earmarked for indigenous programming initiatives at colleges and universities. What are the results? In Ontario, 48 per cent of the indigenous population has a post-secondary education compared to Manitoba's 34 per cent.
We have also recognized that the path to post-secondary for most students starts before high school. Nearly 43 per cent of the indigenous population in Manitoba has yet to finish high school. We need to ask whether primary and secondary education offer culturally relevant and respectful programming. There is a need for a holistic approach to the education system if it is to begin to address the variety of social, cultural and financial barriers to education.
There is opportunity for jobs and employment for indigenous peoples, but in many cases it is an opportunity tied to education. This must occur in a targeted, seamless, integrated way with a sustainable and transparent funding structure. We need to be willing to make the investment.
Lloyd Axworthy is president of the University of Winnipeg.
The data contained good news: Efforts at post-secondary institutions to increase accessibility over the past 20 years are working. Census data since 1996, and the more recent national household survey, show the proportion of the indigenous population with a post-secondary education has increased to 42 per cent from 28 per cent. Indigenous adults with a post-secondary education now significantly outnumber those who have yet to complete high school.
There was, however, a disturbing note. While the number of indigenous students participating in post-secondary education nationally is rising, there remains a 20 per cent gap when compared to non-indigenous participation.
That gap has grown from a much lower 15 per cent in 1996 and is expected to continue to grow. For every two steps forward, there is one step back.
It was more disheartening to learn the Prairie provinces are falling behind, with some of the lowest levels of participation, despite a higher proportion of First Nations and Métis people. Educational achievement is one of the principal means through which people gain good quality employment and life opportunities. More attention must be paid to investment in the education of indigenous people in Manitoba.
An analysis by TD Economics showed where the jobs are and where they will be in the future. Now, indigenous people with post-secondary education are highly concentrated in the education and public health sectors.
It is a good thing that indigenous people are working in health and education, but why aren't they finding more jobs in the broader labour market where there is strong growth potential? There is also an issue of indigenous people not reaching the top jobs in health and education -- for example, being an in-home caregiver as opposed to a physician.
At the U of W, we have recognized the education gap and tried to address the challenge with our community learning strategy, partnering with schools and indigenous community organizations and governments, to help set indigenous children and youth on a path to university early.
The community learning programs demonstrate the power of listening and working in partnership, of connecting in a holistic way with families, and of the critical nature of culture as a foundation for success.
If you don't know who you are, you can believe the negative perceptions about indigenous people.
This investment holds big rewards if we succeed. We are talking about the youngest and fastest growing population in Canada. As the rest of the population ages, we will need youth to fill future skills shortages. We must ensure that every single Manitoba youth has the exposure and access to post-secondary education.
Much of what the U of W has achieved has been done, in large part, through the generosity of private funders with some help from government, but we are limited in our capacity to scale up.
We are reaching thousands, but there is so much more need than we can meet. This requires strong commitment and ongoing investment by government.
In Ontario, the provincial government commits $26 million a year for indigenous education initiatives through its postsecondary funding for aboriginal learners fund -- a portion of it earmarked for indigenous programming initiatives at colleges and universities. What are the results? In Ontario, 48 per cent of the indigenous population has a post-secondary education compared to Manitoba's 34 per cent.
We have also recognized that the path to post-secondary for most students starts before high school. Nearly 43 per cent of the indigenous population in Manitoba has yet to finish high school. We need to ask whether primary and secondary education offer culturally relevant and respectful programming. There is a need for a holistic approach to the education system if it is to begin to address the variety of social, cultural and financial barriers to education.
There is opportunity for jobs and employment for indigenous peoples, but in many cases it is an opportunity tied to education. This must occur in a targeted, seamless, integrated way with a sustainable and transparent funding structure. We need to be willing to make the investment.
Lloyd Axworthy is president of the University of Winnipeg.
BartSimpson @ Fri Oct 18, 2013 4:24 pm
Assimilation of the First Nations people would have as a byproduct the result of higher levels of education. Leaving them in their self-imposed apartheid to straddle the Stone Age and the 21st Century does these people a disservice.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
Curtman @ Fri Oct 18, 2013 4:41 pm
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
Assimilation of the First Nations people would have as a byproduct the result of higher levels of education. Leaving them in their self-imposed apartheid to straddle the Stone Age and the 21st Century does these people a disservice.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
I wouldn't expect a 'Merican to see it any other way. Assimilation via the residential school program was an abysmal failure.
We're not doing that anymore. Our schools have smudges, and sharing circles.
The kids brought this home the other day:
llama66 @ Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:51 pm
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
Assimilation of the First Nations people would have as a byproduct the result of higher levels of education. Leaving them in their self-imposed apartheid to straddle the Stone Age and the 21st Century does these people a disservice.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
I agree. The Indian Act is vestigial and no longer relevant in modern society. We've apologized for 250 years for the treatment of the natives, its time to move on.
If we dump the Indian Act it will force them to act in their own best interest instead of having the state come riding to their rescue.
Give them the land they are on and give them a single one time dispersal of state funds, if they squander it; it'll no longer be our problem.
housewife @ Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:30 pm
llama66 llama66:
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
Assimilation of the First Nations people would have as a byproduct the result of higher levels of education. Leaving them in their self-imposed apartheid to straddle the Stone Age and the 21st Century does these people a disservice.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
I agree. The Indian Act is vestigial and no longer relevant in modern society. We've apologized for 250 years for the treatment of the natives, its time to move on.
If we dump the Indian Act it will force them to act in their own best interest instead of having the state come riding to their rescue.
Give them the land they are on and give them a single one time dispersal of state funds, if they squander it; it'll no longer be our problem.
Really 250 years huh
1 The last Canadian Residential School closed in 1996
2 "Following the end of the Second World War, laws concerning First Nations in Canada began to change, albeit slowly. The federal prohibition of potlatch and Sun Dance ceremonies ended in 1951. Provincial governments began to accept the right of Indigenous people to vote. In June 1956, section 9 of the Citizenship Act was amended to grant formal citizenship to Status Indians and Inuit, retroactively as of January 1947.
In 1960, First Nations people received the right to vote in federal elections without forfeiting their Indian status. By comparison, Native Americans in the United States had been allowed to vote since the 1920s"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nati ... th_century
3 The 1951 change in the Indian Act changed how the government dealt with FN wills but
"The Minister, however, has very broad discretionary powers over matters and causes testamentary where Indians resident on reserve or Crown lands are concerned. For example, the Minister may appoint or remove executors and administrators of estates,(80) or may declare a will void for various reasons.(81) "
http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/ ... m#%2881%29
4 The police leaving natives to freze outside of town in the 1990's
http://injusticebusters.org/index.htm/cops.htm
I think your math is out by almost 200 years The earliest I can see the count starting from would be 1951. Personally I would start the count till around the 1960's.
BRAH @ Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:58 am
llama66 llama66:
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
Assimilation of the First Nations people would have as a byproduct the result of higher levels of education. Leaving them in their self-imposed apartheid to straddle the Stone Age and the 21st Century does these people a disservice.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
Seriously, it's time to grant the First Nations individual (not tribal) fee title to their lands and tell them they're part of Canada and to get on with it.
Otherwise just get used to things being this way where you all complain about the situation while being unable to do anything about it for the simple reason that the FN don't want you to.
I agree. The Indian Act is vestigial and no longer relevant in modern society. We've apologized for 250 years for the treatment of the natives, its time to move on.
If we dump the Indian Act it will force them to act in their own best interest instead of having the state come riding to their rescue.
Give them the land they are on and give them a single one time dispersal of state funds, if they squander it; it'll no longer be our problem.
Cutting them off from the Government payout of Billions a year is what's needed because until that happens they will never take responsibility for their own actions.
ShepherdsDog @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:24 pm
FFS....they have to be bribed and cajoled just to show up for class. How goddamned hard is it to just sit in class and listen from 9 to 4? 'uh doan hafta try buh-cuz if uh fail whitee will gif me muh-nee.' Then, those few kids who have parental support and ambition get called apples and whitee wannabes. They leave the reservations and native communities never to return for the most part.
OnTheIce @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:55 pm
BRAH BRAH:
[
Cutting them off from the Government payout of Billions a year is what's needed because until that happens they will never take responsibility for their own actions.
Cutting them off from the Government payout of Billions a year is what's needed because until that happens they will never take responsibility for their own actions.
![[B-o]](./images/smilies/drinkup.gif "Drink up")
Nothing will change until they handouts and special treatment end.
OnTheIce @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:56 pm
Curtman Curtman:
I wouldn't expect a 'Merican to see it any other way. Assimilation via the residential school program was an abysmal failure.
Every Native related program over the last century has been an abysmal failure. More money isn't the solution. It never has been and never will.
There are far more ways to force/encourage assimilation than residential schools.
llama66 @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:18 pm
Treat them like fresh to Canada immigrants, teach them our culture and our history, not in residential schools; but in the same setting new to Canada families learn. and If the Natives choose not to integrate, then they can deal with the repercussions and It'll no longer be on us to prop them up anymore.
Zipperfish @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:39 pm
Assimilation has been tried through residential schools nad other measures and didn't work.
Focus should be on maintainging culture, not race. The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
FieryVulpine @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 8:29 pm
Zipperfish Zipperfish:
The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
I heard that the South African white minority looked at our Indian Act and used it as a "foundation" of sorts for their Apartheid policies, though I cannot remember where I heard it. If that is the case, then I find the continued existence of the Indian Act when Apartheid ended two decades ago highly embarrassing.
ShepherdsDog @ Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:00 pm
Zipperfish Zipperfish:
Assimilation has been tried through residential schools nad other measures and didn't work.
Focus should be on maintainging culture, not race. The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
Focus should be on maintainging culture, not race. The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
Race? Everyone keeps going on about race being an outdated idea. However, if we were to use race to determine who is an aboriginal you'd like find a plurality, if not a majority of so called FN peoples don't qualify because half and more of their ancestry is European. Metis would be SOL trying to claim FN staus, as they didn't come about until after the arrival of the French and the British and the establishment of European colonies and it was their blended ancestry and culture that made them different from aboriginals and Europeans.
OnTheIce @ Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:19 am
Zipperfish Zipperfish:
Assimilation has been tried through residential schools nad other measures and didn't work.
Focus should be on maintainging culture, not race. The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
Focus should be on maintainging culture, not race. The way the Indian Act is now, it's about preserving race.
Focus should be on forcing assimilation by changes to the way reserves and Natives are given government dollars.
We have to move away from a funding model that keeps these people living in 3rd World ghetto's.
llama66 @ Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:37 am
Assimilation didn't work because there was/is no reason for them to want to assimilate. They would stand to benefit more if they didn't assimilate. Dump the Indian Act and all that changes.