Student Trustees of Ontario Unanimously Call for First Nations Education
Rights
TORONTO, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - The Ontario Student Trustees' Association - l'Association des élèves conseillers et conseillères de l'Ontario (OSTA-AECO) is voicing its support for aboriginal education. Student Trustees voted unanimously to support the principles behind motion 571, introduced by Member of Parliament Charlie Angus in the House of Commons, this past weekend at the association's Fall General Meeting. This motion promps accountable funding of schools on First Nations reserves and the collaborative implementation of learning structures.
OSTA-AECO is behind the movement started by the late Shannen Koostachin who believed that all First Nations students should have equal education rights. The campaign was officially launched in Ottawaon Wednesday, calling on the government to end the double standard that exists between First Nation schools and provincially funded schools. OSTA-AECO President Maria Bun recognized this as a proud moment for all students. "It was a call for change so resonant and devoted to equitable education. Students in Ontario will unite to ensure our First Nations friends have access to their inalienable education rights."
"Shannen was a leader with strength and wisdom far beyond her years. What she gave to her fellow students and to all of us was hope for a better, more equitable world. She taught us a great deal about standing up against injustice. She has left all of us a lasting legacy and we are confident that her spirit will flow as a force for good in our world," said Catherine Fife, President of the Ontario Public School Boards Association. "Student trustees in this province have demonstrated political and moral leadership by endorsing the Shannen's Dream Campaign.... their support for their First Nations peers is inspiring."
Danielle Robinson, a First Nations student trustee for the Superior-Greenstone District School Board was extremely pleased with the association's unity on the issue. "As a First Nations student on my school board, I fully support Shannen's Dream. This will really benefit all First Nations in their endeavors of equality in education."
As the largest student stakeholder in Ontario's education system, OSTA-AECO represents over 2 million students. The association promotes the unity without conformity of all affiliated student trustees in order to advance the student vision. Student trustees are youth representatives elected by their peers to bring the student voice to school board tables to improve the quality of education across the province.
For further information:
Alex Vander Vlugt, Communications Officer
416 477 2069 ext. 2
Share this article