Regional Chief Toulouse congratulates Premier Mcguinty on third consecutive term
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2011 /CNW/ - First Nations in Ontario are expecting the relationship building with the Government of Ontario to continue according to Regional Chief Toulouse. First Nations leaders in Ontario expect the appointment of a dedicated Minister of Aboriginal Affairs as an essential requirement to continue building upon efforts to address priority issues including treaty implementation, community health and wellness, education, and clean water.
Regional Chief Toulouse stated that "education must remain a priority - empowering First Nations young people with culturally appropriate and academically solid education unlocks an economic potential for all of Ontario by securing a stable and productive work force. We appreciate the Premier's fervour to address the education gap that exists between First Nations and their mainstream counterparts but above all - we support First Nations in their inherent right to construct education systems that transmit culture, language and values. This respect must form the fundamental basis of finding the workable path forward to address the education gap."
In 2006 Premier McGuinty prioritized First Nations education and committed to the creation of a First Nations centre of education excellence and curriculum development. More recently, Premier McGuinty committed to approaching the federal government to address First Nations education as a priority on the basis of all parties working together.
Throughout the election, the Chiefs of Ontario encouraged all parties and the electorate of the importance of addressing the root causes and long-standing challenges faced by First Nations. However, minimal attention was paid to First Nations priorities during the campaign.
"There is a widespread and fundamental lack of understanding about our shared history and the original treaty relationships the settler governments have with First Nations and some of that is reflected in Ontario's principal policy document called 'Ontario's New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs.' We need to establish a common understanding and the Government of Ontario needs to be guided by modern policy taking into account legal developments in Canada including the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" said Regional Chief Toulouse.
The Chiefs of Ontario is a coordinating body and secretariat for the 133 First Nations communities located within Ontario. | 
