First Nations leaders and activists battle education reform bill


Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo. Photo from Twitter

First Nations leaders and Native activists are vowing to do whatever it takes to defeat a controversial education reform measure.

The Canadian government says the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act will put First Nations in charge of the education system. But leaders and activists say they weren't consulted about the bill, which would standardize schools on reserves.

"Other Canadians wouldn't tolerate this. Why do we have to?" Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox told The Regina Leader-Post.

Despite the opposition from the ground, Shawn Atleo, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has supported the bill. Pamela Palmater, who ran against Atleo in the last AFN election is calling for impeachment proceedings.

Get the Story:
First Nations education act spurs protests (The Regina Leader-Post 4/30)
Native leaders warn of disruptions if Ottawa pushes ahead with education reform (The Globe and Mail 4/29)
Calls to impeach AFN Chief Shawn Atleo rise over endorsement of controversial education bill (Yahoo! News Canada 4/29)

An Opinion:
Pam Palmater: #IMPEACH ATLEO - Response to AFN’s “Analysis” Of Its Own Education Deal With Harper (Indigenous Nationhood 4/28)

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Shawn Atleo: First Nations gain control over educational system (04/14)

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