EDC 2010 Opening Keynote Speaker

Assembly of First Nations
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo

First Nations Education 2010 and Beyond: Stability, Systems and Support

Our agenda for First Nations Education begins by developing a set of “NEVER AGAIN” commitments that builds on Canada’s Apology for the Residential Schools. Through education and skills training, we can overcome the attempts of the residential school system to destroy our culture and language. This is our time to empower our fast growing youth population in ways that will ensure a future of opportunity, success and prosperity.

Over the immediate term (to summer 2010), the Assembly of First Nations will present a focused agenda and rationale for change as follows:

The Assembly of First Nations national education strategy consists of three priority core elements:

• First and foremost First Nation education must have a stable and secure base. Every segment except First Nations, of the Canadian population has access to education that is funded within a guaranteed legislative structure to achieve specified standards and requirements. It is simply unacceptable that this is not the case for our children.
• Second, we need to build First Nation systems of education that include key supports including immersion in First Nation languages and culture.
• Third, we must link and broaden the support among all education institutions to support our students’ success through linkages with First Nation governments that recognize and enable communities and families to be the leaders and champions of First Nation success in First Nation education.

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. In July 2009, A-in-chut was elected to a three-year mandate as National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national political advocacy organization mandated and directed by the 633 First Nation governments across Canada.

A-in-chut is a founding member of the BC First Nations Leadership Council. The council was formed when A-in-chut, as BC Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, along with the political executive of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and First Nations Summit, signed a historic Leadership Accord in March 2005, overcoming decades of discord in BC.

In 2006, A-in-chut was elected to a second consecutive three-year term by the 203 Chiefs of BC. In his six years as Regional Chief, he made numerous contributions to the political field within his community, among First Nations, and in/between local, provincial, national and international levels. Some of his work at the national and international level has included international relations participating in work on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, leading the pursuit of reforms to the comprehensive and specific claims processes, and coordinating fisheries policy change relating to both coastal and inland fisheries.

In 2008, A-in-chut's commitment to education was recognized in his appointment as Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, becoming BC's first aboriginal Chancellor.

A-in-chut graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (in partnership with University of British Columbia, University of the Western Cape South Africa, and University of Linkoping Sweden). A-in-chut is supported by and gains strength from his partner of 23 years Nancy and their two adult children, Tyson and Tara. Traditional teachings have guided A-in-chut to serve First Nations as a leader, facilitator, mediator, planner and teacher.

Shawn Atleo's biography at http://www.afn.ca/election09/S.Atleo.htm