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OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be at an Alberta high school today to unveil the Conservative government’s plan to reform First Nations education.

Harper will be accompanied by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo when he delivers the news at Kainai High School, about an hour’s drive south of Lethbridge.

Atleo has told AFN regional chiefs via email that it appears the Conservatives have agreed to conditions set out last year that threatened to derail the reform process.

Those conditions include ensuring aboriginal communities retain control of education, providing a statutory funding guarantee and recognition of First Nations languages and culture.

Atleo also told the regional chiefs the announcement will include “new and sustainable investments” in the upcoming federal budget.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada says it spent about $1.55 billion on First Nations education in 2011-12 from kindergarten to Grade 12 and another $322 million on post-secondary education.

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