The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians sign historic education agreement

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (A.I.A.I.), and the Government of Ontario are pleased to announce the signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Education which will:

• Support the development of a community-based language strategy;
• Build relationships between educators in First Nation operated schools and provincial educators and schools through shared professional development and training opportunities, and;
• Support the transition of students between First Nation schools and provincially-funded schools.

The Government of Canada believes every First Nation child should get the best start in life, and is committed to working in partnership with First Nations to support goals for a quality and culturally relevant First Nations education system.

This collaborative initiative is important because it supports First Nations-led education priorities and will highlight the importance of preserving, supporting and revitalizing Indigenous languages and culture.

Quotes

"We have heard time and time again from First Nations youth that what they want and need is educational programming that supports Indigenous language and culture.  Congratulations to the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians for signing this historic education agreement, which will provide culturally relevant education and the tools ‎they need to 'walk in both worlds' and become leaders in their communities."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"I am very pleased that Ontario is signing this historic agreement, which will strengthen our partner relationship with the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians. Agreements like these work to ensure that First Nations students can benefit from a strong education system."

Minister Mitzie Hunter
Minister of Education for the province of Ontario

"Our children are our most important resource for our future, we must give them every opportunity to learn academics as well as our languages and culture. This is a good step in that direction."

Grand Chief Gord Peters on behalf of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians

Quick Facts

• This tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Education will benefit approximately 790 K-12 First Nations students in the five participating Ontario communities represented by A.I.A.I.
• The First Nations participating in the Agreement are:
• Batchewana First Nation
• Caldwell First Nation
• Delaware Nation
• Oneida Nation of the Thames
• Wahta Mohawks

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SOURCE Government of Canada

For more information, media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160; Richard Francella, Pres secretary for the Ontario Minister of Education's Office, Office of the Honourable Mitzie Hunter, [email protected]; Public Inquiries, Ontario Minister of Education, 416-325-2929; Ira Timothy, Communications Coordinator, For the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, 519-434-2761 ext 245