The Athabasca Tribal Council Amendment
Reconciliation starts with an Act.
Inspired by Chief Janvier of Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation and the Blinding Light Walk- Tiger Lily, the Athabasca Tribal Council Ltd. (ATC) is launching the Orange Path, a national effort to raise awareness and support for reconciliation across Canada. As we shine a light on the tragic legacy of residential schools, the ATC is calling for real change and for us an important first step is the Athabasca Tribal Council Amendment.
Over the past few months more and more unmarked graves have been discovered and many hearts and minds in our communities are restless, struggling with the tragedy of residential schools. It was through the Indian Act that the federal government forced our children to attend these schools and it is through the Indian Act that the federal government continues to regulate our children’s education without our consent today.
Shockingly, Sections 114 and 115 of the Indian Act still permit the Minister to operate and regulate schools for First Nations children without their free, prior and informed consent.
The ATC is calling for an immediate amendment to the Indian Act that provides for First Nations’ free, prior, and informed consent to the federal government’s operation and regulation of schools for First Nations children.
Parliament recently passed Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP), which requires all laws within Canada to be consistent with UNDRIP. Articles 14 and 15 include provisions specifically relevant to education and reconciliation:
Article 14:
Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning.
Indigenous individuals, particularly children, have the right to all levels and forms of education of the State without discrimination.
States shall, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, take effective measures, in order for indigenous individuals, particularly children, including those living outside their communities, to have access, when possible, to an education in their own culture and provided in their own language.
Article 15:
Indigenous peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information.
States shall take effective measures, in consultation and cooperation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding and good relations among indigenous peoples and all other segments of society.
WE’RE ASKING FOR CHANGE – THE ATC AMENDMENT
The ATC is calling for an immediate amendment to Sections 114 and 115 of the Indian Act that provides for First Nations’ free, prior, and informed consent to the federal government’s operation and regulation of schools for First Nations children.
This amendment would enable many more First Nations to operate their own schools and ensure that initiatives to offer high-quality culturally appropriate curricula are funded on equal footing with other forms of education.
It would also serve as a meaningful provisional measure while Canada works to meet the tenth call to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, “to draft new Aboriginal education legislation with the full participation and informed consent of Aboriginal peoples” with “a commitment to sufficient funding.”
We’re calling on all Nations, federal leaders, elected officials and Canadian allies to support the Athabasca Tribal Council Amendment. Sign and share the petition as a step towards real and meaningful change.
Sign the petition and support truth and reconciliation.
