Native education reform planned
Un extrait de la lettre ci-dessous a paru dans le Globe and Mail le 13 décembre 2010. Disponible en anglais seulement.
Paul Davidson
Président-directeur général
Association des universités et collèges du Canada
John Ibbitson’s article (Ottawa, chiefs agree to pursue wholesale reform of native education, Dec. 10) conveys welcome news.
Canada’s universities applaud the collaboration of our federal government and aboriginal leadership in what could be an unprecedented overhaul of on-reserve education.Canada as a whole will emerge stronger when Aboriginal students have the high quality education they require and deserve – an innovative education that celebrates Aboriginal identity and knowledge.
This reform will also open the doors to a postsecondary education to thousands of native students who may not have otherwise pursued further studies. These students will receive a warm welcome and relevant educational experience at universities across the country, an assurance that comes from the meaningful, action-oriented new partnership between Canada’s universities and Aboriginal communities.
This past October, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation co-hosted the National Working Summit on Aboriginal Postsecondary Education. This dialogue highlighted that Canada’s postsecondary institutions are already helping strengthen the educational experience of Aboriginal K-12 students in significant ways, including an Aboriginal focus in many teacher-education programs and youth outreach initiatives.
Our universities have committed to strengthening outreach programs and developing curriculum that is relevant to Aboriginal students’ life experiences.
It is with a sense of urgency that these commitments have been made. Aboriginal Canadians can no longer have limited access to the high quality of life our country affords. And this nation needs the full participation and partnership of Aboriginal Canadians in building the economy if Canada is going to be a productivity leader in the new global marketplace.
Education is how we get there.