A partnership between the Alberta government and the First Nations is intended to help provide a better education to First Nations students. Education Minister Gordon Dirks recently attended the Kingsway Ramada Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre Alberta First Nations Education Summit, and Premier Jim Prentice was also in attendance. The two politicians discussed education with aboriginal leaders from around Alberta. According to Prentice “I think we very quickly reached a consensus in the room that we wish to see a province where First Nations students are getting exactly the same educational opportunities that all Alberta students are getting.” The goal is to determine how the Alberta government can help the school authorities of the First Nations while still respecting the traditional and cultural priorities of the aboriginal groups.

The meeting between members of the Alberta government and the First Nations shows that both sides are willing to make an effort to improve the education of the indigenous population. According to Deron Bilous, an outspoken critic of the Alberta NDP, “Let the governments sort out who owes who. The point is that we cannot continue to have First Nations students and their education be second-class to non-indigenous students in the province.” Charles Weaselhead, the Treaty 7 Grand Chief, said “Right now, in our K-12 systems, the numbers that are graduating are at a low. It’s often been said to us that First Nation education is roughly 12 to 15 years behind mainstream.” Some in the First Nations blame a lack of funding for low graduation rates, others point to a lack of qualified teachers or the scarcity of other necessary resources.