Chief Shawn Atleo

First Nations Education: Can we afford to miss out?
Co-sponsored by Athabasca University

Monday, May 30
12:15 to 13:20
Margaret Norrie McCain Hall, Noel Kinsella Auditorium

Chief Shawn Atleo wants to inject an additional $71-billion into the Canadian economy over the next 10 years and benefit from an under tapped pool of talent. In a recent call-to-action, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations made a passionate plea to all governments, education institutions and private and public sector organizations to support his vision, one that will provide a foundation for growth for the next generation of First Nations Canadians.

Canada’s First Nations are the youngest and fastest growing population in the country. Yet the education gap between First Nations Canadians and all other Canadians is real. Their social and economic future is Canada’s. For this Big Thinking event, Chief Atleo will share his vision for Aboriginal education and chart the steps leading to a more accessible, equitable and supportive post-secondary education system.

National Chief Shawn Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. He graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Chief Atleo’s commitment to education was recognized when he was named Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, becoming BC’s first indigenous Chancellor.

This event is organized as part of the Equity Issues Portfolio’s ‘Transforming the Academy: Indigenous Education’ programming. A reception will follow, sponsored by the Offices of the Provost/VP Academic and VP Research/International Relations, The University of Western Ontario.