Over 1,000 Aboriginal Canadians and their supporters gathered on Parliament Hill Sept. 23 to protest what they see as unfair government funding policies.
A protest and cultural celebration were held by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to push for increased federal government support for aboriginal education.
Federal funding for First Nations school boards has been capped at 2 per cent every year since 2006.
Speakers said some aboriginal schools struggle to afford access to libraries, computers, or even basic heating systems due to a lack of federal funding.
“That all the money goes to First Nations, that’s a myth,” said Peter Garrow, director of education with AFN. Aboriginal communities maintain that they have a constitutional and treaty right to manage their own resources, and believe officials at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada have too much control over where their portion of government funds is disbursed, he explained.
“It’s a system that started in the ‘80s and has not evolved,” added Garrow. “They should recognize that we can do it. We’re ready.”
Speakers at the event said aboriginal students are not looking for a handout.
“It will be about those young people charting a course of life for themselves. It will be about independence,” said Jerry Lavallée, a chief from Saskatchewan.
First Nations groups came to the rally from all across the country. A group from Kitigan Zibi, Que., walked over 130 km from their town to attend.
“I walked for past leaders,” said Alison Commanda of Kitigan Zibi. “I walked for all the First Nations students all over the country.”
Proposals included the abolition of a cap on funding for aboriginal post-secondary education through the Post-Secondary Support Program, restoring full funding to Saskatchewan’s First Nations University, and convincing Prime Minister Stephen Harper to sign the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, which Canada declined to sign in 2007.
NDP leader Jack Layton took the stage to express his support for the declaration. “There’s no excuse,” Layton said.
“The prime minister must put his signature on that document.”
John Duncan, minister of Indian and northern affairs, addressed the crowd’s criticism.
He said the federal government is well on its way to co-operation with First Nations communities.
He emphasized six agreements recently signed with provinces, and two new schools that have been built.
“This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and we are committed to a partnership,” said Duncan.
Caitlin Tolley, a social sciences student from the University of Ottawa, said she came to the rally to show her support.
She said she hopes no First Nations youth will be denied the same opportunities she had.
“Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon,” Tolley said. “I believe that through education, you can fight poverty, and that will open up a future full of freedom for our people.”