Sixty First Nation chiefs from around the province are in town this week for the BC Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting
The three-day meeting is being held at the Songhees Wellness Centre. It started this morning with cultural presentations, and speeches from the national chief and the BC regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
That was followed by an address from federal minister of indigenous and northern affairs Carolyn Bennett, who covered a number of topics, including the need for better education for First Nation children.
"We know if these kids can't read when they get to grade four they will do terribly. If they cannot ready, they will fake it until grade nine, when they drop out. These kids are not stupid -- they know they're not going to make it. We are not doing them any favours if we just keep pushing them along, unable to read."
An agenda and a live webcast of the entire meeting is available at the BC Assembly of First Nations website.