Plans crumble for Ottawa to co-operate with First Nations on education reform

OTTAWA – A much-touted plan for Ottawa to work together with First Nations to overhaul native education seems to be falling apart.

National Chief Shawn Atleo emerged from three days of meetings with First Nations leaders and educators saying there was a consensus to reject the federal government’s approach.

Earlier this year, Ottawa and the Assembly of First Nations said they would work together on a joint action plan that would lead to a collaborative crafting of legislation by 2014.

The legislation would have given First Nations communities more control over curriculum and schooling, but many chiefs complained they were not properly consulted.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has promised to hold “intensive” consultations before revamping native education.