Saskatchewan’s post-secondary schools working to close aboriginal education gap

SASKATOON – The leaders of all 24 post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan have agreed to work together to close the education gap for aboriginal people.

The accord is believed to be the first provincewide commitment of its kind in Canada.

It says universities, colleges and technical schools will consult with aboriginal communities on ways to bring education for First Nations up to par.

The agreement suggests aboriginal learning lags behind largely due to consequences still being felt from residential schools.

The accord was announced at the start of a meeting in Saskatoon on how universities can respond to recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Peter Stoicheff, president of the University of Saskatoon, says leaders of all the province’s post-secondary institutions recognize that disparity in aboriginal and non-aboriginal education remains a big challenge.