What the AFN is asking Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for in the next budget

OTTAWA – Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has written to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty asking for more funding for First Nations education in the next federal budget. Here’s what Atleo says is needed:

— An immediate investment of $355 million in 2014-15 for classroom-level funding, which would then increase at a minimum of four per cent a year to ensure First Nations children receive a comparable education to the rest of Canadian children;

— $20 million over two years to create First Nation education organizations;

— $2.3 billion over 10 years in ongoing operation costs for regional First Nation education organizations;

— $2.6 billion over 10 years for a reconciliation fund to teach First Nations languages and culture in schools;

— $500 million over six years to build schools; and,

— $298 million over 10 years for operations and maintenance.

(Source: Atleo’s Nov. 21 letter to Flaherty)