News Release


Improving Education For Aboriginal Students

McGuinty Government Building Stronger Relationships with Aboriginal Communities

February 24, 2009

The Ontario government and First Nation, Métis and Inuit organizations are working together to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal students at all levels of learning.

Several new initiatives will help build stronger relationships and provide increasing opportunities for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students in Ontario. The Ontario government will:

  • Provide $6 million in funding through the Access to Opportunities Strategy, to improve access to postsecondary opportunities and boost the number of Aboriginal graduates in Ontario.
  • Work with the federal government and First Nation partners in talks about the future of Aboriginal postsecondary institutes in Ontario.
  • Within the context of federal responsibility for on reserve Aboriginal education, work with the federal government and First Nation partners to improve the relationship between schools on reserve and provincially funded schools.
  • Establish two new bodies to advise the Ontario government about Aboriginal education and training, including:
    • A time-limited working table to provide advice about the development of a First Nation, Métis and Inuit Postsecondary Education and Training Policy Framework, and
    • An advisory council on First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education to provide advice to the Minister of Education on the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework launched in 2007.

These new initiatives build on Ontario's Aboriginal Education Strategy and will help close the education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

Quotes

"As we work together to create strong relationships between the government and our Aboriginal partners, we are improving the educational opportunities for Aboriginal youth and creating a stronger, more inclusive education system for all students," said Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne.

"Ensuring that all Ontarians have access to valuable postsecondary education and training is our priority," said Training, Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy. "We will continue to work closely with the Aboriginal communities across Ontario to ensure that all Aboriginal students in our province have access to the training, support, guidance and opportunities they need to reach their full academic and career potential."

"Closing the education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students is vital to ensuring greater success and opportunities for future generations," said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid. "Our province and Aboriginal communities will only grow stronger when everyone in Ontario can access quality education and training opportunities."

Quick Facts

  • Almost 2,000 students are currently taking Native Language courses.
  • The government invested $15.4M in Aboriginal postsecondary education initiatives within colleges, universities and Aboriginal institutions in 2008-09
  • There are approximately 50,000 Aboriginal students in the Ontario publicly funded school system and approximately 11,000 Aboriginal students in Ontario enrolled in postsecondary education.

Learn More

Read about the government's Aboriginal Education Strategy.

See also: