Chief Isadore Day comments on First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education & Employment Survey (FNREES) – Wawa News
“Yesterday’s release of FNREES data reconfirms that our children, youth and adults are determined to seek a better future for themselves through education and long term employment, while retaining their language and culture. This is a very timely release as First Nation educators from across Ontario are meeting right now at the Chiefs of Ontario Education Symposium in Thunder Bay.
Tuesday, we heard from former Prime Minister Paul Martin, who has become not only a champion for First Nation education, but a major force in improving current outcomes through the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative. We also met with Dr. Carolyn Bennett, the new Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, who will be working with us to ensure that much-needed, and long-delayed, education funding begins to reach our communities in the coming months.
The FNREES data released yesterday was gathered by Indigenous researchers who visited 250 First Nation communities across Canada, including remote communities. More than 21,000 First Nation children, youth and adults took part in this comprehensive two-year survey.
