This study provides the perspectives and profiles the types of programs offered by the colleges, institutes, cégeps and university colleges which responded to the on-line survey as well as the two Aboriginal ACCC member institutions, NVIT and SIIT, and the three colleges in the northern territories which participated in telephone interviews. In order to provide a clearer and more complete picture of the options Aboriginal learners have for accessing post-secondary education programs and services. An overview of Aboriginal-controlled institutions is also provided separately, in Section 4 of this report,

2.7 Policy Priorities of the Assembly of First Nations

A review of the policy priorities identified in the Assembly of First Nations’ 2000 National Report of First Nations Post Secondary Education Review, helped to guide the design of the survey and interview instruments for this study, in terms of including questions which help provide a better understanding of how colleges and institutes:

• Take into account and contribute to the principle of Aboriginal control of education;
• Facilitate and allow for Aboriginal participation in college/institute program and curriculum development, including a stronger emphasis on and incorporating Aboriginal traditions and cultures in the curriculum;
• Partner and collaborate with Aboriginal institutions for the delivery of programs, and address the need to recognize and increase support for Aboriginal controlled institutes;
• Provide support services aimed at Aboriginal student retention and success, including access to: Elders; academic, career and personal counselling; tutoring; peer counselling; mentorship and buddy programs;
• Provide students with opportunities to pursue life long learning by providing laddering, bridging and transfer arrangements with other post-secondary institutions;
• Promote relationships between Aboriginal communities and post-secondary institutions to develop and implement on-reserve and community-based program delivery;
• Examine funding challenges both in terms of the shortfalls that exist within the Post- Secondary Student Support Program and their impact on college/institute delivery of Aboriginal programs and services, and the challenges institutions face in accessing sufficient funds for effective delivery of programs and services.

3. Aboriginal Services and Programs at Colleges and Institutes

Through the survey and interviews, colleges and institutes were asked to identify and describe the types of advising, counselling and support services and education and training programs they are currently offering. This was not for the purpose of conducting an exhaustive inventory of all Aboriginal programs and services offered at colleges and institutes but rather as a means to profile and characterize the types of services and programs offered with a view to demonstrating how colleges and institutes are helping to increase Aboriginal learners’ access to post-secondary education and labour market participation, as well as contribute to Aboriginal community development. This profile will also be used to develop a section of the ACCC website on Aboriginal Programs and Services which will then be linked to colleges and institutes websites, and wherever possible, Aboriginal web pages or sites. This overview of the services and programs makes distinctions between Aboriginal, mainstream and Northern colleges and institutes, when applicable.