ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses living conditions in native communities which affect schooling in a very direct way. The aboriginal teacher can be of great assistance to the community in directing and assisting the indigenization of the school curriculum. The continued training of aboriginal teachers in northern Manitoba is improving the levels of educational achievement for the population in these communities, making possible local control over education by chiefs and councils, qualifying more Natives in several professions, and providing successful Indian professionals as role models for the young people. In 1971 the province of Manitoba had approximately twenty qualified and certified native teachers. Education as a vehicle for upward social mobility and the achievement of "the good life" is emphasized and promoted by aboriginal peoples. A sound educational basis for elementary schools requires highly trained people from within the culture and community.
