Here's some shocking news: a new report finds major failings with aboriginal education in Canada.
The report by a national panel on First Nations elementary- and secondary-school education called on the federal government to set up an oversight body, The Canadian Press reports.
It also recommended that local organizations similar to school boards be set up.
And it called for more money to be put into the system.
Specific recommendations in the report, entitled Nurturing the Learning Spirit of First Nation Students, include creating a child-centered First Nations Education Act, setting up a national commission on First Nation education to support reform and improvement efforts, setting up regional organizations to provide support and services for First Nations schools and students, ensure adequate funding for the system and establish a system of accounting and reporting.
"We were struck by the passion and commitment of the young people that we met and all of the people who are committed to First Nations education," said panel chairman Scott Haldane.
"We recognized, however, that they do not have a system of support. There isn't, in fact, a First Nations education system in Canada. And without that support, it's very difficult for them to achieve the goals that they have for young people and for young people to achieve their full potential."
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan and Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, set up the three-member panel last year.
Duncan wouldn't say if the government would implement any of the report's recommendations.
"I'm not going to speculate on the budget, because I have no idea," Duncan told The Canadian Press.
"The timelines that we're talking about are aspirational timelines. Money can't do everything. What we need is to change structures and other things. Everybody recognizes that. The national chief recognizes that. The national panel recognizes that."
While non-committal on funding, Duncan told Postmedia News it's a government priority to "provide First Nation students with quality education that enables them to acquire the skills they need to enter the labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy."
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse told the Toronto Star he's optimistic about the panel's findings but he warned not everything can change overnight.
"There have just been too many years of neglect," said Toulouse who speaks for 133 Ontario First Nations.
Toulouse said Ottawa can prove its commitment to improving aboriginal education in the upcoming federal budget.
In the short term, bringing funding for reserve schools up to the level of their provincial counterparts would help, he said.
Aboriginal students receive on average $2,000 to $3,000 less than non-native students, which critics condemn as a form of discrimination.
"The fact is the gap between delivery of education to First Nations and non-First Nations students has widened," New Democrat MP Linda Duncan said in a statement. "First Nations students should not be forced to wait any longer for their right to education to be honoured."
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