Don Marks: Native people ignored in push for education reform

A new First Nations education act has been put on a shelf because the Harper government and First Nations leaders disagree about three vital issues.

One, First Nations leaders claim the act was developed without meaningful consultation with them.

Two, although the new act promises an increase in funding, First Nations leaders say it isn't enough to close the gap between what is spent on each indigenous student versus other Canadian children. That gap is estimated at $2,000 to $4,000.

Finally, the federal government is making the increase in funding contingent on reaching certain academic standards.

Somewhat lost in all of this is the meaning of education itself.