OTTAWA, ONTARIO (November 19, 2004) - On the heels of a successful working session on early childhood development and elementary and secondary education, more than 100 representatives of Aboriginal organizations and communities, policy experts and educators, as well as officials from federal, provincial and territorial governments, met over the last two days to discuss ways to improve post-secondary education and skills development for Aboriginal individuals and communities. This sectoral session, the second of two on lifelong learning, was held as a follow-up to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable that took place on April 19, 2004. At that roundtable, the Prime Minister set out a vision which included a focus on closing the gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians in key quality of life indicators, including health, education, housing and economic opportunities. "The Government of Canada is committed to working with Aboriginal partners and other stakeholders to find ways to improve learning outcomes for Aboriginal post-secondary students and adults learners," said the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "Lifelong learning is the keystone to self-sufficiency for Aboriginal individuals and communities and is an essential component to narrowing the gap in community development and well-being." The participants in the second session focussed on developing shared definitions of success and recommended actions to achieve progress in priority areas of post-secondary education and skills development. The discussions will help inform the dialogue at the spring 2005 policy retreat with the Ministers, National Aboriginal leaders, and provincial and territorial governments. The first lifelong learning session was held in Winnipeg on November 13-14, 2004. A sectoral session on Aboriginal health took place in Ottawa on November 4-5, 2004; other sectoral sessions to be held between late November and late January are on the themes of housing, economic opportunities, negotiations and accounting for results. For further information, please contact: Diane Laursen Media Relations Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (819) 994-2044 Backgrounder - Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable Follow-up Sectoral Session on Lifelong Learning Fact Sheet: Education
