The Importance Of Aboriginal Education In Canada

Education has always been central to aboriginal economic and social development. A good education determines aboriginal people 's health, literacy, employment, social status and productivity. In light of overwhelming evidence indicating that obtaining a formal education and being engaged in school are strongly correlated with social and economic well being (Radwanski, 1987), educational attainment among aboriginal students has become a pressing issue in Saskatchewan and overall in Canada.

After decades of policy aimed at improving the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal, Saskatchewan’ s most vulnerable group remains far behind the rest of the population on nearly every quality of life measure available, especially education, the particular concern of this study.

At a time when population growth and labour force growth is slowing in Canada, it is particularly important to have policies and programs in place that enable all Canadians, especially aboriginal youth to fully realize their potential to contribute to the economy and their communities. This scenario has a significant impact in case of Saskatchewan, where the share of Aboriginal people (around 15%) out of total population is well above the national average [Figure 1].

This paper will explore some statistics with respect to aboriginal
PPP- a partnership that juxtaposes public and private bodies and propagates collaborations and partnerships between responsible ministries and agencies including academic, internet societies, media houses, universities, non-governmental organisations, youth organisations, education institutes, etc. If the Government can continue this mutual engagement, Saskatchewan will move into the higher trajectory of educational attainment of aboriginal youth, which is bound to give all better dividends in sustainable and inclusive economic