Foundation President and CEO urges equitable funding guarantee for First Nation students as an investment in Canada’s future

June 15 - TORONTO --- Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation appeared before the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples in Ottawa Tuesday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m.

Ms. Jamieson layed out the Foundation’s response to the tragic crisis of so few First Nations, Inuit and Métis students going on to high school and graduating as compared to non-aboriginal students. However, she also drew the Committee’s attention to the fact that for those who do graduate, there are not enough sufficient financial resources available so they can obtain post-secondary and trades training.

The Committee’s study is part of its mandate to examining the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political, and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

Professor David Newhouse, Chair and Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies at Trent University also appeared before the Committee.

The Foundation is respected nationally as a registered charity that for 25 years has promoted, supported and celebrated the realization of the potential for achievement of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, particularly youth. It has provided $18.7-million in scholarships and bursaries over the last five years, more than any other non-governmental agency.

Click here to download Notes for Remarks by Roberta Jamieson.

For more information, please contact:

John Ecker
Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
B: 416-987-0260
C: 647.408.5044
jecker@naaf.ca