Education is the first step to truth and reconciliation.

That from Nipissing University president Dr. Mike Degagne on the struggles of our First Nations people.

He was relaying that message on Monday at the monthly meeting of the North Bay Rotary Club.

DeGagne says the residential schools history is being told through the creation of the truth and reconciliation commission and its 94 recommendations.

But he says for true progress to happen, returning control to First Nations people on issues that matter to their own lives, is essential.

Still, DeGagne says the current government understands that, it compared to the previous one which eliminated many First Nations organizations like the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, the National Aboriginal Health organization and the First Nations Statistical Institute.

He says the Harper government did apologize for the residential school system.

Degagne says people do want to improve things and that’s an important step.