Please sign and circulate this petition
Ottawa is considering turning post-secondary grants for aboriginal students into repayable loans under a review that critics say will erode treaty rights for First Nations and hamper efforts to solve Manitoba’s labour shortage.
Patricia Valladao, a spokeswoman for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, confirmed the Post-Secondary Student Support Program is under review.
She wouldn’t say if the department has decided to transfer control of $314 million in student grants for First Nations university and college students to the existing Canada Student Loans Program, administered by provinces.
The review is raising worries among aboriginal leaders and university officials across the country.
The Quebec-based First Nations Education Council is circulating a web-based petition against any changes. More than 13,000 supporters have signed it since it was launched Nov. 13.
Please go the the following link and sign the petition:
