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November 14, 2005 Ottawa—As part of its commitment to improve learning outcomes for all Canadians, today the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) is hosting a National Dialogue on Aboriginal Learning. This meeting brings together more than 130 leaders from across Canada to identify solutions to issues that continue to limit learning outcomes for Canada’s more than 1.3 million First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.
Aboriginal education will be a top priority when Prime Minister Martin and the other First Ministers prepare to meet in Kelowna, British Columbia, with Aboriginal leaders November 24 and 25. Results from today’s meeting could have a direct bearing on their discussions.
In recognition of the complexity and multi-jurisdictional nature of Aboriginal learning, the Canadian Council on Learning’s National Dialogue on Aboriginal Learning is bringing together leaders from the education sector, both on-reserve and off-reserve, First Nations, Inuit and Metis community groups, Industry Sector Councils, NGOs, universities and colleges, researchers and federal and provincial governments, and learners themselves.
“Aboriginal learning involves a range of issues well beyond the primary and secondary systems, issues such as early childhood development, health, access to safe housing, and apprenticeship,” says CCL’s President and CEO, Dr. Paul Cappon “By bringing together all the key players we hope to identify solutions that can be implemented in each of these areas. Simply improving the structured schooling available to Aboriginal Canadians is not enough to solve all the problems.”
The meeting, chaired by Marlene Brant Castellano, former Director of Research for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and an expert in the area of Aboriginal learning, will allow stakeholders with different perspectives to develop a better understanding of how the various issues, stakeholders and solutions relate to each other.
“Making a breakthrough in learning strategies is essential to improve the lives of Aboriginal people,” says Marlene Brant Castellano, “and I am delighted by this opportunity to build the alliances needed to make this happen.”
This meeting is the first step of CCL’s commitment to support better outcomes in Aboriginal learning. Immediately following the National Dialogue, the Canadian Council on Learning will invite proposals to establish a “Knowledge Centre on Aboriginal Learning”. Proposals must demonstrate a commitment to address the full range of Aboriginal learning issues and to involve all key stakeholders.
The Knowledge Centre on Aboriginal Learning will function as a Canada-wide network of expertise in Aboriginal learning. Its members will identify priorities for research and for tracking progress, and will lead knowledge exchange activities to share more effective ways to support Aboriginal learning at all ages.
Dr. Cappon and Ms. Brant Castellano will be available for media interviews at 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday, November 14, 2005, in Salon B at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert, Ottawa.
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The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based decisions about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the senior years.
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