the briefing room

Last Thursday, representatives from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the CFS rallied on Parliament Hill to highlight the importance of First Nations education and fairness for First Nations students. The organizations called on the federal government to lift the 2% cap on funding increases to the Post-Secondary Student Support Program. The AFN estimates that over 15,000 Aboriginal students have been shut out of college or university since the cap was put in place in 1996. AUCC joins Aboriginal stakeholders in calling for increased action to improve PSE access, participation, and success for Aboriginal students. AUCC recommends that Ottawa improve student financial aid for Aboriginal students, provide sustainable funding for vital support programs, and foster new partnerships between universities and Aboriginal communities to improve elementary and secondary school results. AFN News Release | Chiefs of Ontario News Release | CFS News Release | AUCC News Release (Academicagroup)