A “historic” agreement for First Nations education in Quebec will lead to an investment of more than $1.1 billion over five years, announced Thursday, in Kahnawake, the Canadian Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu.
“It’s a historic day,” she said of the deal, which includes new investments of $310 million. The agreement concerns 22 Aboriginal communities in Quebec.
“It’s a gesture of reconciliation,” added Minister Hajdu. The latter pointed out that the envelope will allow First Nations to hire and retain teachers to transmit current and ancestral knowledge.
This agreement, the existence of which had been revealed by The duty in June, was expected by the indigenous communities. The latter have been calling for years for more autonomy in education and more measures to protect their languages and cultures.
The agreement follows a commitment by the Trudeau government to “decolonize education” after the residential school trauma experienced by Indigenous people.
During the announcement, John Martin, Chief of Gesgapegiag and responsible for the education file, however denounced the adoption of Bill 96. The latter erects “even higher walls” separating the First Nations from their success. school, he said.
Further details will follow.
With Marco Fortier
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