Page 10 - Building Bridges to Success for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Students – Developing Policies for Voluntary, Confidential Aboriginal Student Self-Identification: Successful Practices for Ontario School Boards

Why Self-Identification? Why Now?
The Ontario government is dedicated to excellence in publicly funded education for all students, including First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. This position is reflected in Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs, released by the government in June 2005, which envisions prosperous
and healthy Aboriginal communities that will create a better future
for Aboriginal children and youth.2
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION IS A KEY PRIORITY
Ontario and Aboriginal leaders recognize the importance of education in improving lifelong opportunities for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children and youth. Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs commits the government to working with Aboriginal leaders and organizations to improve education outcomes among Aboriginal students.
Acting on this commitment, the Ministry of Education has identified Aboriginal education as one of its key priorities, with a focus on meeting two primary challenges by the year 2016 – to improve achievement among First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students, and to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in the areas of:
• Literacy and numeracy
• Retention of students in school
• Graduation rates
• Advancement to postsecondary studies
2. The term Aboriginal includes First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples. First Nation, Métis, or Inuit students are referred to specifically where appropriate to the context.
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