Education
Dene Nation demands transparency from GNWT on school funding
The funding changes to Jordan's Principle has created gaps that need to be filled
Leaders of the Dene Nation are pushing back against a statement of unity that was recently made at the Assembly of First Nations general assembly event in Winnipeg.
The assembly took place on Thursday, August 28th, where the AFN stated that “Indigenous Governments, MLAs, and families are united with the GNWT in calling for action.”
The action being referenced is the recent boost in school funding made by the GNWT in response to the recent changes made to Jordan’s Principle.
In a press release issued on September 3rd, Dene Nation leadership wrote that the assertation of unity does not reflect their position on the matter.
“These Dene Chiefs were neither consulted nor informed about the GNWT’s pursuit and acquisition of school funding, specifically the $14 million allocation under the Support Assistants initiative for the 2025-26 school year.”
Dene leaders are concerned about the transparency of how the funds are being moved around, and what support will be provided to Dene communities. They propose a collaboration approach to help address educational challenges, stating that Indigenous Services Canada should engage directly with Indigenous communities to develop a new support model, as they were previously in charge of managing funds from Jordan’s Principle.
“The Dene Nation remains committed to advocating for the rights and needs of our communities. We urge the GNWT and federal authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with Dene Chiefs to ensure that all decisions reflect the voices and priorities of the Dene people.
“It is imperative that the GNWT and federal government work in partnership with Indigenous communities to fulfill these Calls to Action, ensuring that educational policies and funding initiatives are developed collaboratively and transparently.”
