WINNIPEG – New Democrat Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan) is challenging the Conservative government to listen to First Nations and change how they deliver education. Crowder made the comments following renewed calls for dialogue at the AFN national convention in Winnipeg.

“Every province has an Education Act but First Nations only have a line in the Indian Act that says the minister will establish schools,” said Crowder, the New Democrat First Nations Issues Critic.  “I challenge the Minister to work closely with the AFN to determine how communities can drive this process and develop a timetable for developing new legislation.”

In Tuesday’s opening address to the AFN annual convention, National Chief Shawn Atleo called for the abolishment of the Indian Act blaming it for high suicide rates, high rates of incarceration, and poverty among First Nations. He called for a new, more independent relationship with the federal government.

Crowder says education reform is a logical first step to move past the outdated Indian Act.   

“It is an example of how First Nations can drive this process; identifying the unique needs of their communities and building the strategies to meet those objectives,” said Crowder.