"The Harper government is determined to push forward with a new first nations education act despite the opposition of native chiefs.

But the act will almost certainly be boycotted by most first nations leaders across the country, even if it does become law.

All sides bear responsibility for this shambles. Native children will pay the price.

The Harper government is committed to having a native education reform act in place in time for the beginning of the 2014 school year. Reform is desperately needed: On-reserve high-school graduation rates are less than half that of the non-aboriginal population.

Yet another generation of native youth faces a life without a decent education or income, poorly housed and in poor health."

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John Ibbitson: Children to pay price for native education reform shambles (The Globe and Mail 10/15)