The federal government's pledge to put $30 million into improving education for First Nations was greeted warmly Thursday by Assembly of First Nations national chief Shawn Atleo.

"The chiefs have instructed me and the executive to make education one of our top priorities," Atleo, who was elected to the top post last July, told The Province.

"We're seeking an education commitment more broadly, and while we didn't get that in the budget -- beyond the $30 million -- what we did get was a commitment to work with us jointly to reform and strengthen education, which I really welcome.

"We want to be a full partner in reforming it and they have expressed that willingness to do that with us."

Atleo said he had "feared the worst" that pre-budget signals of restraint might translate into disappointment for First Nations.

"We have an objective of moving toward stable funding supports for education and there is the commitment in this budget and throne speech to do exactly that," said Atleo.

He noted the statistics on first nations high school graduation rates.

"In 1972, we had a Grade 12 graduation rate of 12 per cent," he said. "In 2010, we have a Grade 12 graduation rate of 49 per cent. It's still well below the 87 and 90 per cent in the mainstream Canadian economy.

"We want to see 65,000 aboriginal post-secondary grads in five years and 60 schools built in our communities in five years."

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty also announced $10 million in new funding spread over the next two years aimed at ensuring the justice system meets the needs of aboriginal women.

"We have been strong supporters, especially through the AFN's women's council, to press for a national action plan [to solve the disappearances]," said Atleo, who marched in Vancouver on Feb. 14 for murdered and missing women, many of whom are aboriginal. Atleo called for the formation of a committee bringing together members of a number of Parliamentary committees "that would bring to this work the kind of effort at the national level that it rightly deserves."

The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) echoed Atleo's hope about the $10-million initiative.

"We are optimistic that this commitment will enable the NWAC's Sisters In Spirit initiative to continue to play a leadership role in addressing missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada, by working with the Department of Justice and all other stakeholders," NWAC president Jeannette Corbiere Lavell said in a statement.

aivens@theprovince.com