Time to shake up the BC Treaty Negotiations

[No Tuition Win Win Option]

PERSPECTIVE

Time to shake up the BC Treaty negotiations . . . no tuition for First Nations students is a win-win option . . .

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida

Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

June 24, 2005

Education may be one of the keys to opening up the British Columbia treaty process.

In fact, I believe if First Nations negotiators jingle the keys in front of provincial and federal negotiators, it may begin to move the talks forward toward more progress.

Case in point - the historic land claim settlement achieved by the Akwesasne Mohawks and New York State. As part of the agreement, St. Regis Akwesasne Mohawks who qualify for admission to a campus at the State University of New York will not be required to pay tuition to attend such institutions.

Imagine that, providing tuition-free-education to our young people. In my opinion it makes sense, on many levels.

It would be beneficial to First Nations, and everyone else. After all, we know that education is of paramount importance in levelling the playing field for First Nations. It is seen by many, as the key to creating healthier communities, through greater economic development and employment opportunities both on and off-reserves.

It is easy to see why First Nations might embrace the idea of introducing education as integral to achieving progress in treaty talks. But why would BC and Canada buy into it? Simply put, it is in the best interests of both.

What are the compelling reasons to recommend this option for consideration? First, it would introduce a practical and fairly easily achieved, breath of fresh air into the treaty process.

Second, who would argue with the principle of fast-tracking education for First Nations youth, thus improving their odds of finding jobs, and bringing their success into the equation, of creating a better standard of living for their communities.

Third, we all know that the labour pool in mainstream Canada faces a critical challenge - a shortage of workers. Academics, governments, corporations and small businesses all agree, that an ample source of employees is in the First Nations population. With a larger demographic make-up of youth - the prime talent pool of the future, a better educated First Nations population provides an obvious solution to a weighty problem.

Because this meets the interests of all the parties, I believe that a no-tuition option could introduce a win-win situation, and in a timely fashion. For example, an interim agreement on education and tuition would be possible, and that could launch the negotiations toward the much needed progress that everyone is searching for, in the BC treaty process.

As well, who could argue that the current Indian Affairs post secondary education funding regime is inadequate. It fails to address the need. It fails to meet the government’s own agenda.

In fact, the no-tuition option could also be introduced into an evolving process that is attempting to meet the needs of First Nations elsewhere in Canada, who seek fulfillment from their historical Treaties.