First Nations rally against Education Act

At the Chiefs of Ontario Rally on April 11 in Thunder bay, about 50 people protested against the proposed federal First Nations Education Act outside a hotel where a meeting was taking place between First Nations representatives and officials from Aboriginal Affairs. Protestors expressed particular concern about a lack of consultation with their communities. "Basically consultation is being done after they drafted the legislation...they're doing it backwards," said one of the demonstrators. The rally was also focused on reaching out to share the concerns that First Nations communities face in the shortfall of funding for education. The Chiefs assert that the federal government talks about consultation, but then restricts the number of Chiefs who are allowed to attend. The message to Ottawa was simple. Aboriginal youth represent the fastest growing demographic in Canada. Continuing the status quo is going to result in Aboriginal youth continuing to be left behind as we are seeing today, according to several speakers. CBC | NetNewsLedger