Winnipeg, MB. – The Manitoba government is holding a series of full-day Indigenous education roundtables in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson to strengthen education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and adults, Minister Ian Wishart and Minister Eileen Clarke announced.

“Our government is committed to advancing reconciliation by working to improve education outcomes for Indigenous students,” said Wishart. “Through these roundtables, we hope to foster meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples and the education community to meet this commitment.”

The minister noted discussions will focus on three major themes including:

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called upon all levels of government to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Indigenous families,” said Clarke. “The Manitoba government accepts and embraces this responsibility.”

The first roundtable discussions were held last week in Thompson, with new sessions taking place in Winnipeg Dec. 18 and 19 at 1577 Dublin Ave. and Brandon on Jan. 15 and 16, 2018, at the Brandon Friendship Centre at 836 Lorne Ave.

Each roundtable discussion will include representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups including parents, educators, health-care professionals, community-based organizations and others with a vested interest in the education and employment outcomes of Indigenous families and communities in Manitoba.

Wishart noted the information shared during these discussions, as well as a three-day collaborative process with stakeholders in January, will inform the development a long-term provincial literacy and numeracy strategy.

These events are open to the public. Interested parties are asked to RSVP to Wanda Spence at wanda.spence@gov.mb.ca or 204-945-4653.

The Government Of Manitoba

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