Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I should note that irony of ironies, this had been an old Bismarck missile base that had been turned over to first nations, and first nations had come because they saw this opportunity, and then they were asked to leave and the funding came to an end. But lo and behold, today I believe that it has become a medium or a minimum security prison where there are many first nations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, what occurred was that at the beginning of the 1990s there was a decision not to work on a regional need. The regional Indian Affairs office would determine what the need was, and then the funding would be provided to the region within an envelope. It got frozen, and then all that was going to be given was 2% per year for cost of living--basically, barely--so it wasn't keeping up with the demographics and the needs.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The college level would offer pre-university.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, there is. For example, there is nursing, technology, three-year programs, and what not. When I'm speaking about vocational, it might be carpentry. It might be some of the other skills. Algonquin College, here in Ottawa, offers all of those at the post-secondary level. So students who want to go....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I could speak at length about that, but let me give you a few examples that I believe are important. First of all, we need to address the issue of the funding support going to primary and secondary education. We need to look at the whole funding formula to ensure that teachers are paid at par, so that you can recruit the best-qualified teachers and do some work at the community level.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm pleased you brought the issue of success to our attention, because we've had many successes, both in programs that have been delivered and by the many young people who have returned to the community to take on some very important roles. We need to celebrate that, and too often, you're right, we forget and we look very much on the negative side.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have to improve the quality of education at the primary and secondary levels, to ensure that students have the appropriate academic background. We need to give them a solid secondary level program, so that they have the necessary prerequisites to pursue their studies at the post-secondary level, without having to take a transition program.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In regard to vocational, I should point out that I have an old letter in front of me, dated 1972, in which Treasury Board had informed INAC that they could fund students at the vocational level. In those days they didn't call it post-secondary, they called it post-school.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Sure. It gives an idea. In Quebec, as I mentioned, vocational training is given at the high school level. Usually all you need is a secondary four or grade ten to access it, unlike in other provinces, where you normally need post-secondary. Our recommendation would be that the post-secondary program incorporate the opportunity to access funding to go to vocational, because of the particular situation in Quebec.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In our case, as indicated, we see the first step as being a partnership with existing CÉGEPs in Quebec. While we're developing our capacity to manage a college, we are going to begin dialogue with the Quebec government to have our institution fully recognized. We know there are a number of steps to make that happen.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For a number of years now, First Nations have been making many recommendations, and a lot of studies have been carried out. It is now time to stop studying the issue and take action, by developing specific programs. The First Nations are always ready to work with Indian Affairs to develop viable solutions.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning, and thank you for this opportunity to speak to you at this committee. I think it's a unique opportunity for the first nations in Quebec, who unfortunately don't often get this opportunity I'm aware that you are aware of a lot of the details in regard to the post-secondary program.