April 4, 2011 - The South Slave Minister’s Regional Forum on Aboriginal Student Achievement (ASA) begins April 5 in Hay River. Aboriginal government, community and youth representatives, alongside educators and school principals from each community within the South Slave, will talk with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Jackson Lafferty, about Aboriginal student achievement.

“Each time we meet with a new region, we’re building off the great work done at the previous forums while identifying the specific needs of each region and community,” says Minister Lafferty. “I’m excited to consult with the South Slave and solicit their valuable input on this important issue.”

The meeting is the fifth in a series of regional forums taking place throughout the 2010-11 school year with a goal of developing a coordinated and shared approach to improving academic performance among Aboriginal students. Key areas addressed at all forums are early childhood and child care, student and family support, literacy and Aboriginal language curriculum and resource development.

On April 7, immediately following the Minister’s forum, community members will meet to start developing education action plans specific to each community. Feedback and outcomes from the forums will help direct the development of ECE’s Aboriginal Student Achievement Education Plan.

The final Minister’s Regional Forum takes place in Inuvik for the Beaufort-Delta from May 3-5, 2011.

For more information, contact:

Amy Doerksen
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-6222
Email: amy_doerksen@gov.nt.ca

Ashley Green
Officer, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-3059
Email: ashley_green@gov.nt.ca