First Nations prepared to restart negotiations on education: Bellegarde

WATCH: National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde says closing the education gap on reserves could be the first step towards reconciliation.  

OTTAWA – First Nations communities across the country are ready to re-open education negotiations with Ottawa, said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde.

“We just want the willing partner to come back to the table,” he said in an interview on The West Block with Tom Clark. “Let’s redo this … We want the good quality education for our children. We want the standards, but under First Nation’s control.”

Ottawa’s most recent offer on the First Nations education file was in Bill C-33, introduced in the House of Commons in April 2014. The so-called First Nations control of First Nations education act proposed increasing per capita spending for on-reserve students, putting close to $2 billion of new money on the table.

READ MORE: Up to 6,000 children died at Canada’s residential schools, report finds

The legislation was shelved, however, in light of the backlash the government received from a number of chiefs who said the legislation and funding didn’t give First Nations enough control over education; the notion of putting ministerial appointees at the head of the council overseeing on-reserve education went against the spirit of the First Nations’ demands, they said.

Looking at education framework for aboriginal students was one of the 94 recommendations contained in final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, made public last week.

WATCH: Tom Clark takes a look at the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada.

Bellegarde said that although all 94 recommendations are vital, addressing the education gap is one of the most important.

However Ottawa decides to address the commission’s report will likely have to wait until the winter, or even longer, depending on when Parliament returns following the election scheduled for October.

READ MORE: Harrowing stories residential school survivors told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

As the federal election approaches, Bellegarde said he is hoping to increase the number of aboriginals who cast ballots.

Aboriginal voting numbers have been traditionally low, which is something the national chief said he and the other chiefs are trying to address.

Looking purely at numbers, the First Nations population in Canada can stand to affect 51 ridings, he said — but aboriginal leadership won’t be encouraging their members to vote one way or another.

“We’re not saying vote for the Liberals or NDP or Conservatives,” he said. “I’m saying, just get out and vote … because it’s important. Because if you’re a member of Parliament and you know that First Nations didn’t vote, you’re not going to care about our issues.”

READ MORE: 5 things to know about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Bellegarde said he’s just going to focus on getting First Nations’ priorities on the main parties’ platforms.

So far, the Liberals have endorsed all 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, and the NDP has gotten behind some.

“It really comes down to recognition of our rights as indigenous peoples and who is more in tune with that,” he said. “You can look at each of the parties’ positions and then make an informed decision.”