<e-notes> Valcourt’s Tired Game of Using Shawn Atleo Shield Ends As National Chief Makes Honourable Resignation :-16-

an informative <e-note> by fourarrows@rogers.com 4 May 2014 Edition

Canada to respond to the conditions required toachieve success for First Nations childrenincluding:

a. Respect and recognize inherent rights andtitle, Treaty rights, and First Nation Control ofFirst Nation Education jurisdiction. First Nationsmust retain all options to advance theireducation and all such agreements must befully respected, enabled and supported.

b. Provide a statutory guarantee for funding ofFirst Nations education as a precondition that issustainable and reflects needs-based costsconsistent with Canada’s obligation.

c. Enable and support systems to provide fullimmersion and grounding of all education inIndigenous languages and cultures.

d. Develop mechanisms to oversee, evaluate,and for reciprocal accountability and to ensurethere not be unilateral federal oversight andauthority.

e. Ensure a meaningfully supported process toaddress these conditions through acommitment to working together through co-development, fully reflective of First Nationsrights and jurisdiction.

5. Direct the National Chief and NationalExecutive to advocate urgently and strongly forCanada to commit immediate investments inBudget 2014 to address the current funding gap,and advance a statutory guarantee for the future ofFirst Nations education systems.

The Last Word: Shawn Atleo’s Resignation Speech

I have stated clear priority on the recognition of Treaty, of Indigenous rights and title, on the safety and security of ourmost vulnerable, and I have also made my priority on education for our kids plainly clear.

I have said it is OUR TIME as Indigenous peoples, that we must smash the status quo and that my job is as an advocateto open doors for First Nations to drive change.

It is on this basis that we have worked very hard to achieve a new conversation between Canada and First Nations – aconversation grounded in recognition, respect and ultimately reconciliation, and to reach a realization that stronger FirstNations are vital for a stronger Canada.

I have had the great honour and privilege to visit over one hundred First Nation schools in every region. It is the timespent with kids, their dedicated teachers – the parents and the grandparents that has both inspired me and created a steelyresolve and determination. I think of the late Shannen Koostachin, young boys and girls in remote northern communitieslike young Jayden – you’ve heard me reference so many times before.

It is the spark in their eyes and the knowledge that as leaders – as the adults – we must get this right – right now.

The work before us is absolutely challenging – if it were easy, it would have been accomplished by now. Today’sconversation began over 40 years ago with the remarkable leadership of the late George Manuel and many others. Indiancontrol of Indian education in 1972 – a policy statement crafted by our own educators including Verna Kirkness remainsa powerful affirmation of our resilience and our determination to achieve change and justice for our children througheducation.

Smashing the status quo means ending the glacial pace of change for our people and providing full support for growthand success. Smashing the status quo means new approaches grounded in recognition and in reconciliation.

The current discussion and diverse views remind us within the Assembly of First Nations that we too have much workahead. The inspiration behind the creation of the Assembly of First Nations was to serve as an advocacy body – bringingtogether the Nations and supporting one another. I have encouraged reflection on our processes and approach within theAssembly to reflect a sense of re-building our Nations.

<e-notes> Valcourt’s Tired Game of Using Shawn Atleo Shield Ends As National Chief Makes Honourable Resignation :-17-

an informative <e-note> by fourarrows@rogers.com 4 May 2014 Edition

Smashing the status quo means that everyone has a role to play. The status quo should NOT be acceptable to anypolitical party – the NDP, the Liberals or the Conservatives. This status quo should also never be acceptable to ourChiefs and leaders.

This work is a challenge for all Parliamentarians and it is a challenge for our Nations. Everyone knows the recent historyhere – of an open letter and of a clear resolution and five conditions.

Throughout and, with that mandate of Chiefs, I and many others with me have done everything possible to achieve thischange.

I am very proud of the work accomplished – very proud of our collective efforts to overcome the status quo on this issueand others.

We’ve been through important and sincere efforts before – in constitutional negotiation, a Royal Commission, and othermore recent important efforts such as Kelowna taken forward by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. The currentproposal on education is the latest attempt and a sincere, constructive effort on the part of Prime Minister StephenHarper to take a step forward.

This work must be understood in that context – as a challenge, not for me, or any one individual – but a challenge and acall to action for the entire country.

I have fought for this work and to achieve this mandate. This work is too important and I am not prepared to be anobstacle to it or a lightening rod distracting from the kids and their potential. I am therefore, today resigning as NationalChief.

I have carried out my actions based on principle and integrity. Personally, I believe this work must happen. It can andshould happen in parallel to other efforts addressing fundamental questions of ‘how’ we do this work. Now the workstarted so many years ago must continue. It must continue in every community and it must continue within Parliament. Ichallenge every party and every First Nation to carry forward this work. Failure is simply not an option. Fighting for thestatus quo is simply not acceptable.

Today I express my deepest gratitude for the support, the generosity and the respect afforded to me by First Nations andincreasing multitudes of Canadians across this country. I have been deeply honoured to serve.

I will, as I have all of my life, continue this struggle in other ways. I want to thank all of those who have quietly workedfor education and for our kids. While people do not hear or see them today – YOU will emerge as the heroes of thiswork in the future.

– Shawn A-in-Chut Atleo