Opinion: Federal funding delays disrupt Indigenous education

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Education is a fundamental right and ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed is essential for building a stronger future.

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) has long advocated for sustainable and equitable education funding. However, in many cases, systemic barriers and inequities exist for First Nations students.

As president of the ASBA, serving Alberta’s locally elected public, Catholic and francophone school boards, I am calling on all levels of government to expedite efforts, in collaboration with our member school boards, to address the federal funding delays of Jordan’s Principle applications, which directly impacts First Nations students.

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The Role of Jordan’s Principle

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle that ensures all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them.

Established in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, the principle arose after Jordan died in hospital at the age of five, while the provincial and federal governments fought over who was responsible for his care.

For school boards, this principle underscores the responsibility to advocate for the timely and equitable provision of services and supports to First Nations students. Its full implementation is critical in Alberta to closing gaps for students in our schools, ensuring no child falls through the cracks.

Addressing Funding Gaps

At ASBA’s fall general meeting in November, our member school boards reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of Jordan’s Principle, ensuring First Nations students attending provincial schools receive equitable funding, access to learning and the support services they need.

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Our members’ position is clear: First Nations students in provincial schools must be provided with the resources necessary to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. This includes targeted funding to meet their unique needs, ensuring they receive the same level of support as their non-First Nations peers.

A Call for Immediate Action

In honoring the legacy of its namesake, Jordan River Anderson, we must focus on the needs of students rather than placing blame or identifying who should bear the financial burden.

The ongoing delays in processing Jordan’s Principle applications are creating significant funding gaps that are disrupting our students’ education. This issue cannot wait for bureaucratic process to unfold over months or years; it requires an immediate solution.

I urge the federal government to treat this issue with urgency and expedite the application review process to guarantee that critical support reaches the students who need it – without further interruption.

Marilyn Dennis is president of Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and has served as a school board trustee since 2017. As the provincial association, ASBA serves Alberta’s 61 locally elected public, Catholic and francophone school boards, and the four public and Catholic boards from Yellowknife and Lloydminster.