Page 62 - Georgina Island

Education Rights

The Indian Day School on Georgina
Island in the 1950s. ROW BY
BLACKBOARD: front to back: Lam
Charles, Phil Ashquabe, Linda
Big Canoe, Lorraine Big Canoe;
NEXT ROW: Norm Charles, Oliver
McCue, Sarge Porte, Susan Vernon,
Pauline Blackbird, Paul Big Canoe,
Marie McCue; THIRD ROW: Clara
Ashquabe, Elvina Ashquabe, Larry
Porte, Buzzy Big Canoe, Fran York,
Albert Big Canoe, Andy Big Canoe;
ON SIDE: Daphne Porte

You have probably heard and read about residential schools and
First Nations people. When they were very young, our parents
and grandparents had to attend day schools run by church
officials. Indian day schools were similar to residential schools,
except that day school students went home at night, while
residential school students lived at the school. Georgina Island’s
day school, like other day schools in the region, discouraged the
practice of traditional beliefs or ways of knowing and permitted
English only.

Much of our culture was lost in these schools. People today
recognize the value of reclaiming our language and belief
systems, and are working to bring back the language and culture
that are so much a part of who we are.

The right to education, without cost, is considered a treaty right.
Historically, this has been interpreted to mean that the federal
government, in exchange for items negotiated in the treaties,
will cover all costs for education in all levels of school, including
public schools and post-secondary schools.
Our education funding does not come from the property tax
dollars paid to fund provincial schools. Rather, it comes from
federal funds we receive through Indigenous Services Canada,
along with our own income.

60 Georgina Island First Nation

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