News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

December 15, 2017

Province Announces Indigenous Education Roundtables to Strengthen Support for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students



The Manitoba government is holding a series of full-day Indigenous education roundtables in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson to strengthen education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and adults, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart and Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced today.

“Our government is committed to advancing reconciliation by working to improve education outcomes for Indigenous students,” said Wishart.  “Through these roundtables, we hope to foster meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples and the education community to meet this commitment.”

The minister noted discussions will focus on three major themes including:

  • student and family well-being;
  • early childhood development and kindergarten to Grade 12 education; and
  • adult learning, post-secondary education and the workplace.

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called upon all levels of government to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Indigenous families,” said Clarke.  “The Manitoba government accepts and embraces this responsibility.” 

The first roundtable discussions were held last week in Thompson, with new sessions taking place in Winnipeg Dec. 18 and 19 at 1577 Dublin Ave. and Brandon on Jan. 15 and 16, 2018, at the Brandon Friendship Centre at 836 Lorne Ave.

Each roundtable discussion will include representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups including parents, educators, health-care professionals, community-based organizations and others with a vested interest in the education and employment outcomes of Indigenous families and communities in Manitoba.

Wishart noted the information shared during these discussions, as well as a three-day collaborative process with stakeholders in January, will inform the development a long-term provincial literacy and numeracy strategy.

These events are open to the public.  Interested parties are asked to RSVP to Wanda Spence at wanda.spence@gov.mb.ca or 204-945-4653.

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