cipation has risen from eight percent [1950] to as high as ninety eight percent in the five to fifteen years age group today (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1993). Aboriginal literacy programs, now in effect, enable students to gain an appreciation, and knowledge of their history, culture, and their Native Underachievement 6individual potential. These programs are experiencing a very high degree of success. Natives are able to learn their mother tongue, as well as, English or French. The association that natives are able to make with what they are learning to what they know helps them to understand why the material is relevant.Without programs such as the native literacy campaign, Canadians face alarming statistics. Almost sixty nine percent of all registered natives are either unemployed, or are not members of the labor force. Forty five percent of all registered natives in Canada are functionally illiterate. People who are not trained to work, rely on assistance to survive. Members of the working class in Canada, support these native people. This brings on a whole host of other problems including, social conflict, and discrimination. We are only beginning to uncover the many difficulties faced by native Canadian students. Armed with the knowledge of what causes these problems, we must strive to further the advancement of viable solutions. Including adding native studies to regular classroom curriculum, and train native teachers to teach all students. Cross cultural education is beneficial to the entire society. Natives comprise a large segment of Canada's population, and it is to the benefit of all citizens that we make the most of our resources....
