First Nations Education and Minnis' Rentier Mentality

Abstract

In 2006, the Canadian Journal o f Education published an article by University Col­lege o f the North professor John Minnis that explored the relationship between gov­ernment transfers to Canadian First Nations and educational underachievement. Inthis discussion, the author suggested that poor academic performances by First Na­tions students were the result o f government transfers that had led to the develop­ment o f a rentier mentality. This article examines the appropriateness o f the rentiertheory as an explanation for educational underachievement in First Nations inCanada. Using relevant scholarly literature, an argument that advocates focus on theprevalence ofpostcolonialism is presented. The author asserts that the suggestion o ffiscal transfers from government agencies as an explanation for educational under­achievement in First Nations is an oversimplification o f the problem and that abroader historical examination may be required.