OTTAWA -- National Chief Shawn Atleo says this week's education agreement between Ontario, Ottawa and First Nations in northern Ontario shows how aboriginal peoples can improve their living conditions and work with governments.
The memorandum of understanding commits the two governments to sit down with aboriginal leaders and negotiate more First Nations control over curriculum.
The agreement also allows the two sides to work out better support mechanisms for children attending schools far from their reserves.
Atleo says such negotiating tables are a de facto recognition of treaty rights, and more effective than the typical low-level talks with government officials that have led to such widespread frustration.
He says the January meeting he held with Prime Minister Stephen Harper has helped empower government negotiators to get better results.
However, Atleo says there are no plans in the works for a second meeting any time soon.
