A Winnipeg School Division Chairperson is hoping to get her voice heard by the Federal government in order to fund Indigenous schools properly.

Sherri Collins says on-reserve schools are under-funded by $4,000 to $6,000 per student which hurts development for students, especially when the students move to urban areas and transfer schools.

Collins says that it's not only underfunding which is the problem for indigenous schools but also a lack of communication between governments and school boards.

Collins says schools are underfunded to because the government won't share funds equally because of location, size of schools and other contrasting qualities.

Collins notes that there are a lot of reserves without a high school which makes students transfer to urban centre. Educators say the biggest gaps in development are shown for transferees.

Collins said she has reached out to Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and has talked to her region's MP in trying to lobby Ottawa for changes.