Individual or Group Representation: Native Trustees on Boards of Education in Ontario

Abstract

Since the release ofIndianControlofIndianEducation(National Indian Brotherhood, 1972) the number of Native students attending educational institutions operated by First Nations educational authorities has increased significantly. However, close to 50% of all Native elementary and secondary school students in Canada attend schools operated by provincial ministries of education. Although a number of provinces make provision for Na­tive representation on public and separate school boards of education, legislative restrictions and the mechanics of the electoral system often work against any meaningful Native repre­ sentation on these bodies. This article examines the impediments to Native representation on boards of education in Ontario and suggests a possible remedy to this situation.