11. We call upon the federal government to provide adequate funding to end the backlog of First Nations students seeking a post-secondary education.
The department formerly known as INAC (now Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) underfunds First Nations post-secondary students. In 2010, the annual budget was set at $400 million for 27,000 First Nations post-secondary students, but the number of applicants far exceeds that, and in the preceding year more than 5,000 eligible students were denied funding outright. This Call to Action urges the Government of Canada to ensure that adequate funding is available for qualified First Nations students who wish to continue their education. The availability of post-secondary education is essential to enabling Aboriginal youth to maximize their participation in Canada’s economy.
Compiled by: Grant Oyston