Aboriginal education must improve: senators

A group of Canadian senators is in Saskatchewan researching ways to improve the education of aboriginal people.

The main message senators have heard so far is that "one size doesn’t fit all," British Columbia Senator Gerry St. Germain told reporters Monday following meetings at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. St. Germain is chair of the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.

He noted Saskatchewan "has taken some pretty aggressive steps forward" to improve education for First Nations and Metis people, but the senators hope to make recommendations on how to improve things even more.

For example, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner organized a ceremony last week at Wanuskewin Heritage Park honouring about a dozen Cree elders who contributed to a book now used in Saskatchewan schools.

The problems go beyond money, said Saskatchewan Sen. Lillian Dyck, committee co-chair.

"What we’re hearing is that money alone won’t solve the problems," Dyck said.

Graduation rates for First Nations and Metis students at all levels lag behind the general Canadian population.

St. Germain said this hampers their ability to find good employment and achieve a desirable standard of living.

The senators’ tour include innovative, successful schools in places such as the nearby Whitecap Dakota First Nation and the Onion Lake First Nation near Lloydminster. Both communities are also exemplary examples of economic development.

St. Germain said it’s important to learn from the inspirational or positive examples, but it will also be important to look at what doesn’t work.

He said it’s vital to include aboriginal content and culture in the schools.

St. Germain said he hopes the federal government adopts and implements any recommendations the group produces in its final report.