HEAD OFFICE: 387 PRINCESS

AVENUE
ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES LONDON, ONTARIO
N6B 2A7

www.aiai.on.ca PHONE (519) 434-2761
FAX (519)675-1053

CRITICAL DIALOGUE NEEDED WITH RESEPECT TO A FIRST NATION EDUCATION ACT

For Immediate Release

26 May, 2014

London, ON The proposed First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act falls far
short of the five conditions set out by the National Chiefs Assembly. We had hoped that,
based on the massive rejection of the First Nations Education Act, the federal government
would have collaborated with First Nations in a meaningful dialogue on a new approach.

Instead, we received the same adversarial attitude where Canada disregards its
constitutional, legal and moral obligations identified by the Supreme Court of Canada and
outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Government of Canada has left First Nations no choice but to completely reject Bill C-33,
the First Nation Control of First Nation Education Act. It is critical that the Government of
Canada collaborate with First Nations on a new approach.

Grand Chief Peters concludes, The proper First Nations authorities are prepared to negotiate
with the federal government on our education jurisdiction and immediate funding. First
Nations have the desire and expertise to make this happen now. All that is needed is Canadas
political will.

Peters went on to say, First Nations children deserve the absolute best in education and as
leaders we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure this. We have
solutions that can bring certainty to the future of our children and our communities.

The AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the
Aboriginal and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at
www.aiai.on.ca, https://twitter.com/aiai_comms, www.facebook.com/aiai.pto.

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Contact information: Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, phone: 519-434-2761, or email
gpeters@aiai.on.ca .