Newspaper Headline Collage detailing Bill C-33

1. BILL C-33: GOOD OR BAD?

2. S.3:
“The purpose of this Act is to provide for the control by
First Nations of their education systems by enabling
councils of First Nations to administer schools situated
on their reserves, to delegate that power to First
Nations Education Authorities or enter into tuition or
administration agreements in accordance with this Act.”

3. RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS 2.0
“The last time the federal government was so actively
involved in running First Nations education was
residential schools. The department of Aboriginal Affairs
has no education expertise. It does not know the needs
of First Nations children. It has no accountability to First
Nations communities. But apparently the federal
government thinks it is in a better position to make the
rules for First Nations education than First Nations
themselves” – Judith Rae, OKT Law

4. 3 Ways Bill C-33 Imposes Federal Control
1) Sets federal rules that would manage First Nations’
governance and operations of their education system
• Follow policies of Aboriginal Affairs, not education regulation
• Govern curriculum, location, funding, even bussing
2) Creates federal enforcement system with third party management
• Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in control – can hire a
Special Advisor or Temporary Administrator without appeal
3) Allows federal ministerial discretion into
all decisions about First Nation education
• Minister can make decisions and override decisions
• Minister has to consult with Joint Council of Education
Professionals – 1-4 members nominated by First
Nations across the country – limits regional diversity

5. The government “must withdraw Bill C-33 and engage in
an honourable process with First Nations that recognizes
and supports regional and local diversity to true First
Nations control of education based on our responsibilities
and inherent Aboriginal and Treaty Rights”
– Provincial Chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations
“Our government is extremely disappointed
that the Assembly of First Nations did not
honour its agreement with the government”
– Andrea Richer, Director of Communications for
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt
MAY 27, 2014

10. References
Assembly of First Nations (2014). “Analysis: Bill C33 – First Nation Control of First Nation Education.” Assembly of First Nations. Retrieved from:
https://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/education/analysis_bill_c33.pdf
Coorsh, Karolyn. (2014). “Bill C-33 Explained: The Debate around First Nations Education.” CTV News. Retrieved from: www.ctvnews.ca/
canada/bill-c-33-explained-the-debate-around-first-nations-education-1.1804072
Idle No More. (2014). “Pages Tagged ‘#KillBillC33’.” Idle No More. Retrieved from: www.idlenomore.ca/tags/_killbillc33
KahnawakeTV. (2014). “Chiefs Convene to Reject Canada’s Bill C-33 on Education.” YouTube. Retrieved from: www.youtube.com/watch?
v=lPgXWpqhh68
Kennedy, Mark. (2014). “Federal Government Kills Education Bill After First Nations Chiefs Reject it.” Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved from:
ottawacitizen.com/news/national/aboriginal-chiefs-debate-decry-federal-education-reform-bill
Puzik, Sonja. (2014). “Shawn Atleo Resigns as National Chief of Assembly of First Nations.” CTV News. Retrieved from: www.ctvnews.ca/
politics/shawn-atleo-resigns-as-national-chief-of-assembly-of-first-nations-1.1803647
Rae, Judith. (2014). “The Federal Control of First Nations Education Act.” OKT Law. Retrieved from: www.oktlaw.com/federal-control-first-
nations-education-act/
Sayers, Judith. (2014). “Understanding Bill C-33: ‘First Nations Control over First Nations Education (FNCFNEA)’: A Guide.” First Nations in BC
Knowledge Network. Retrieved from: fnbc.info/blogs/judith-sayers/understanding-bill-c-33-first-nations-control-over-first-nations-education
The Canadian Press. (2014). “How the First Nations Education Act Fell Apart in Matter of Months.” CBC News. Retrieved from: www.cbc.
ca/news/politics/how-the-first-nations-education-act-fell-apart-in-matter-of-months-1.2639378
Twitter. (2014). “#KillBillC33.” Twitter. Retrieved from: twitter.com/hashtag/killbillc33