AFN asks Flaherty to boost First Nations education funding in next budget

OTTAWA – The head of the Assembly of First Nations has written to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, stressing the urgent need for greater aboriginal education funding in the next federal budget.

National Chief Shawn Atleo’s request comes as the federal government says it is willing to negotiate improvements to its plan to reform First Nations education.

Atleo says he hasn’t heard back yet from Flaherty, but adds he makes similar requests every year as the finance minister crafts his annual budgets.

Last week, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt wrote a conciliatory open letter to the AFN.

Valcourt says the government agrees with key aboriginal conditions set out last month that threatened to derail the reform process.

Atleo has said any agreement must allow for native control of education, provide a statutory funding guarantee, recognize native languages and culture, provide shared oversight and ensure continuing and meaningful engagement.