Page 28 - Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework

• Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework
The Ontario government’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs, released in June 2005, envisions prosperous and healthy Aboriginal communities that will create a better future for Aboriginal children and youth. Ontario and Aboriginal leaders recognize the importance of education in improving lifelong opportunities for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children and youth. The New Approach commits the government to working with Aboriginal leaders and organizations to improve educational outcomes among First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children and youth by:
• working with Aboriginal communities and organizations and school boards to develop an Aboriginal Education Policy Framework;
• fostering good relationships between First Nations and school boards;
• establishing clear roles and responsibilities, including those that pertain
to the federal government’s relationship with First Nations;
• working with the federal government to improve the learning environ-
ment and educational outcomes of First Nation students on reserve.
At the November 2005 First Ministers’ Meeting, first ministers and national Aboriginal leaders agreed to close the quality-of-life gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people by addressing several issues, including health care, housing, and improvement in the K-12 educational achievement of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. First ministers and Aboriginal leaders set a target to close the high school graduation gap by 20 per cent over the next five years.
According to census data, improvements in Aboriginal educational attainment have been made over the years. However, greater efforts are needed to ensure that First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students succeed at
a rate comparable to that of other students in the education system. Through strategies such as those described above and through the implementation of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework, the Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring that First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students in Ontario have the necessary support to succeed.
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