Media advisory - Former prime minister to speak on Aboriginal issues in education at Canadian Teachers' Federation meeting

HALIFAX, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) is pleased to announce the Right Honourable Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada, as guest speaker of the Federation's 2012 Annual General Meeting currently underway in Halifax. Over 100 teacher leaders from across Canada are attending the event.

Mr. Martin's presentation will take place:

When:	9 - 9:40 a.m., Thursday, July 12, 2012
Where:	Nova Scotia Ballroom C & D, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Halifax

Martin, who launched the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, a native education foundation, after retiring from federal politics in 2006, has repeatedly called for the inclusion of Aboriginal culture in all provincial/territorial curricula in publicly funded schools. He has also urged the Harper government to deliver on their promise to close the funding gap between reserve and provincial/territorial schools in the federal budget.

"We recognize Mr. Martin as a friend of teachers and a champion for Aboriginal education in Canada," says CTF President Paul Taillefer. "His foundation seeks to enhance learning opportunities and improving educational success for Aboriginal students. We are really looking forward to hearing his message."

The Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative is one of the supporters of the award-winning pilot school twinning project organized by CTF in cooperation with the Assembly of First Nations through the Federation's Imagineaction program. The project aims to twin First Nations schools and publicly funded schools across Canada starting in the fall 2012. Mr. Martin is also one of the Patrons of Honour of the Imagineaction program.

His presentation will be streamed live on UStream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ctf-agm-aga-fce-2012

An alliance of 15 Member organizations and one Affiliate Member representing nearly 200,000 teachers across the country, the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) is a member of the international body of teachers, Education International EI. Follow CTF on Twitter @CTFPresident, @CanTeachersFed, @EnseigneCanada

 

Francine Filion, CTF Director of Communications, 613-899-4247
Lucie Santoro, Office of the Right Honourable Paul Martin, 514-758-9978 [email protected]