WINNIPEG--Students are rallying at the Manitoba Legislature at noon today, calling on governments to invest in the province's fastest-growing demographic: Aboriginal young people."What better occasion than National Aboriginal Day to focus on Aboriginal peoples' rights," said Marakary Bayo Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba. "Today, Canada must answer for the fact that access to basic programmes and resources is so difficult for many Aboriginal people."

The day of action, a project of the Canadian Federation of Students and its National Aboriginal Caucus, calls for action on several key issues for Aboriginal peoples:
- stable, long-term funding for Aboriginal education, including the First Nations University of Canada;
- a significant increase in funding for the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) for First Nations university and college students;
- an end to the crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women;
- universal access to clean, collectively-managed water, now and for future generations;
- recognition of and respect for Treaty & historical rights and the right to self-determination.

"Students are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to more fully support Aboriginal peoples' rights," said Marakary Bayo, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba. "Canada is a wealthy country that has benefited greatly from its relationship with Aboriginal peoples. Respect for their full rights is long overdue."

Added Vanessa Kozak, Aboriginal Students' Commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba: "Canada's treatment of Aboriginal peoples has been a national shame, and young people are demanding better. Let's start with measures like filling the massive need for funding to ensure Aboriginal students can complete post-secondary education."Following the rally, students will go by bus to the exhibition grounds for National Aboriginal Day celebrations sponsored by Manito Ahbee and the Red River Ex.Concluded Kozak: "Students are proud to be part of National Aboriginal Day celebrations, and we will continue to call on the federal government in particular to pay more attention to concrete measures supporting the rights of Aboriginal peoples."

In Brandon, students will be recognising Aboriginal peoples' rights at the National Aboriginal Day celebration held at Fleming School and organized by the Brandon Friendship Centre.The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organization, uniting more than one-half million students across the country and over 40,000 students in Manitoba.