About the National Aboriginal Caucus

The National Aboriginal Caucus (NAC) of the Canadian Federation of Students is the voice for Aboriginal students in Canada. NAC is a separate Caucus within the Canadian Federation of Students uniting Aboriginal students across the country. With members at campuses from St. John’s to Victoria, the National Aboriginal Caucus puts the issues of Aboriginal students on the national agenda.

The Caucus holds three business meetings per year, has a distinct budget and elects a Chair and a representative on the Federation’s National Executive. Aboriginal students also join together with over one-half million students across Canada to lobby on issues of concern to all students such as student debt, tuition fees, and core funding for Canadian universities and colleges. The priorities of the Caucus are set by its membership and defined by the daily challenges facing Aboriginal students.

Goals

The National Aboriginal Caucus has the following objectives: advocating for the interests of all Aboriginal students at the national and international levels; providing a forum for discussion of issues of concern to Aboriginal students; and representing the interests of Aboriginal students’ within the Canadian Federation of Students.

Advocacy for Aboriginal Students

The Aboriginal Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students plays a critical role in putting Aboriginal students’ issues on the provincial and federal landscape.

Through the Federation’s national research department, the Aboriginal Caucus monitors legislative developments as they pertain to Aboriginal students. The research and communications capacity of the Federation also insures that the voice of Aboriginal students is heard on such issues as funding, student financial assistance, and governance.

National Aboriginal Caucus representatives meet regularly with elected and non-elected officials from Indian and Northern Affairs, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, the Department of Finance, and other Members of Parliament and Senators. In addition, the National Aboriginal Caucus works with other national and provincial organisations representing Aboriginal peoples including the Assembly of First Nations.

Mission Statement

The National Aboriginal Caucus’ Mission Statement was developed by members at the May 2007 Caucus meeting in Ottawa, Ontario.

The National Aboriginal Caucus mission is to see the removal of all barriers that Aboriginal students face when pursuing post-secondary education. The Caucus will achieve this through lobbying federal, provincial and municipal governments, through the development of strong and concise campaigns, and through working together with similar organisations and coalition partners toward high-quality, accessible post-secondary education.

National Aboriginal Caucus Executive
British Columbia Representative: Jaden Keitlah
Chairperson: Mike White
Manitoba Representative: Tasha Spillett
National Executive Representative: Jerry Daniels
Ontario Representative: Gregory Boyle
Saskatchewan Representative: Cassandra Opikekow
Newfoundland & Labrador Representative: Melissa Penney