Support Services Offered at Aboriginal and Mainstream Colleges and Institutes
- Tutoring is the most commonly offered service by both types of institutions, although not
all mainstream institutions have tutoring services specifically for Aboriginal learners.
- It is interesting to note that 74 percent of mainstream institutions confirmed that they
have an Aboriginal gathering place on campus.
- Learning Centres are also a relatively common service offered by 73 percent of
institutions surveyed. Learning Centres provide a combination of services aimed at
assisting students succeed in their programs however the types of services vary from
one institution to another but can include tutoring, workshops on study skills and use of
computers for completion of assignments etc.
- Colleges and institutes are also offering financial assistance in the form of short term
loans and emergency assistance, and also work with First Nations Bands to secure
funding and daycare spots. Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) has access to
funding to offer student loans, including for students in Adult Basic Education programs,
and personal advisors at the NVIT provide emergency financial assistance on an as
required basis. At Nunavut Arctic College different measures are taken to assist
students with financial challenges, for example the registrar will advance students
money until their funds come through, or students and faculty from departments will
organize food banks or organize hunting trips with a view to providing students food to
offset their living costs.