Report says BC best for high school graduation rates for Indigenous youth

A new report released by the CD Howe Institute titled, “Why is BC Best? The Role of Provincial and Reserve School Systems in Explaining Aboriginal Student Performance,” has credited BC with the best high school completion rates among First Nations and Métis young adults age 20 to 24. Report author and Simon Fraser University economics professor John Richards explores the various reasons behind the better outcomes in BC, suggesting one critical factor is that “BC reserve schools have achieved more coordination among themselves and with the provincial school system than is the case in any other province.” Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Second Vice-Chief Bobby Cameron disagrees with the report, stating he doesn’t “feel that this formula will benefit First Nations in Saskatchewan.” Blair Stonechild, Indigenous studies professor at First Nations University of Canada supports the need to separate politics from education, noting “the communities that are more successful in education are those that place education above everything else.” Vancouver Sun (1)| Regina Leader-Post | Vancouver Sun (2) | Report