This testimony can also be viewed with full French and English audio translations on ParlVU.

On Monday April 19th, Shannon Cornelsen, co-chair of the National Indigenous Advocacy Committee (NIAC) presented to and took questions from the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) as part of their upcoming report on Improving Graduation Rates and Successful Outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. CASA came to the committee with a number of recommendations that could lead to a more accessible post-secondary world for Indigenous learners. These recommendations, also appearing in CASA's Reclaiming and Reimagining report, include:

1. Increasing funding to the Post-Secondary Student Support Programs (PSSSP), which currently represents nearly 93% of all federal funding towards Indigenous learners but funds only 1 in 5 eligible students

2. Modifying the terms of reference to the Indigenous Student Employment Training (ISET) agreements which as it stands fundamentally compromises Indigenous treaty rights by tying funding to labour market outcomes.

Shannon presented these recommendations and then answered a number of questions from committee members until the meeting was adjourned. CASA encourages the government to follow the recommendations as presented, in order to ensure a future that allows indigenous learners to thrive in the post-secondary landscape.