Backgrounder
Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable
Follow-up Sectoral Session on Lifelong Learning
The sectoral sessions on lifelong learning are bringing together representatives
of Aboriginal organizations and communities, policy experts and educators,
as well as officials from federal provincial and territorial governments,
to discuss ideas to improve education outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.
The lifelong learning sectoral sessions are divided into two parts:
- Lifelong Learning: Early Childhood Development and kindergarten to
Grade 12, November 13 and 14, 2004, in Winnipeg;
- Post-Secondary Education and Skills Development, November 18 and
19, 2004, in Gatineau.
Key areas for discussion during the sessions include: jurisdiction and
control; sustainability and capacity building; funding; access and integration;
barriers to learning; support for key transitions; the role of parents
and communities; the increased participation of women; curriculum development/research
and development; Aboriginal languages and culturally appropriate learning;
literacy; and special needs students.
The policies, programs and services available to First Nation, Inuit,
and Métis peoples, and in the context of women, urban and rural
residents, will also be examined.
Population growth in Aboriginal communities is far higher than that of
the general population. The next ten years will see the birth of over
315,000 Aboriginal children who will need early childhood development
programs. In that same period, over 315,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis
children go through the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system and
potentially into post-secondary education studies. Further, the Aboriginal
workforce will increase by 45 per cent in the next 20 years.
Education is critical to the ability of Aboriginal peoples to achieve
economic security and a better quality of life. There is also a strong
link between education outcomes and meeting the employment needs of Aboriginal
communities in such areas healthcare, environment and social and legal
services.
The discussions at the lifelong learning sectoral sessions can play
an important role in moving towards improving educational attainmen of
Aboriginal learners.
November 2004
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