THUNDER BAY – NEWS – The Chiefs of Ontario Education Symposium is underway in Thunder Bay. The three day conference was kicked off today with former Prime Minister Paul Martin addressing the audience on the issues on education and a path forward toward solutions.
Martin’s message was that the Liberal government will reverse the ten years of delay in fixing the issue of Indigenous Education that happened under the Conservative Government.
Martin pulled no punches calling the approach that the Conservatives took on the Indigenous file as “stupid”.
![Former Prime Minister Paul Martin in Thunder Bay with media after keynote address](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Paul-Martin-Scrum.jpg)
The Conference started on a light note with the conference participants spending some time doing the “Hokey Pokey”.
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day says that there is a real spirit of optimism across the province with First Nation communities and leaders following the election of the Liberal Government.
Calling guest speaker Minister Carolyn Bennett the new Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Minister a “Special Friend” Day stated that the move forward can achieve the needs of First Nations students across Canada and Ontario.