SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education announced a $3 million investment Tuesday to improve aboriginal student outcomes.
Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan made the funding announcement in Saskatoon with members of the joint government-aboriginal panel in attendance.
The panel released its final report in April 2013, making 25 recommendations to help Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis people obtain better training and jobs.
“Providing culturally appropriate and holistic approaches is fundamental for improving education outcomes for our students,” said Morgan.
Half of the funding will go towards expanding the Help Me Tell My Story (HMTMS) initiative to more schools and divisions.
Saskatchewan Rivers School Division superintendent of schools Maureen Taylor says HMTMS is proving to be a valuable support for re-engaging parents and the community in language development.
“We are better able to form relationships, open the lines of communication, and to establish the partnerships that allow us to connect curriculum, classroom, families and communities,” said Taylor.
The other $1.5 million is for an initiative which assists educational organizations and school divisions in sharing approaches that have improved student success with on-reserve schools.
The Wall government says it has implemented several actions that respond to the task force’s recommendations, including drivers education on reserves.
MORE: First Nations driver education funding tailgates joint report
“There is still much more work to be done, and we look forward to continued progress in other the areas identified in the report,” said Bobby Cameron, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) second vice chief.
The province is also investing nearly $50 million in First Nation and Métis post-secondary education in 2013-14.
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