Canadian Colleges & Institutes - Meeting the Needs of Aboriginal Learners

Aboriginal Cultural Activities

Cultural activities are considered important for promoting Aboriginal student success. Cultural activities promote Aboriginal language, traditions, practices, traditional ways of knowing, spirituality, medicines and dress. They include traditional story telling, craft sessions, on campus pow-wows, traditional gatherings and ceremonies.
Student Follow-Ups Aimed at Increasing Retention

At NSCC Coordinators of Retention and Employment track all funded Aboriginal learners to ensure they are attending class, meeting program requirements, and provide follow- up to develop support measures so they can continue in the program. These coordinators are also responsible for reporting back to the Band councils on the progress of all band funded students.
Flexibility in Delivering Programs

Nunavut Arctic College explained that because it is a small college there is more flexibility to deliver programs with more one-on-one support for students. For this college, helping students achieve success is the strongest value. In accordance with this value, the college recognizes that learners come with a lot of personal baggage do not always get support from families to overcome the challenges they face. This is why, when needed one on one help is also offered to help students get through. If students decide to drop out, the college always keeps the door open as it is expected he or she will be back at some point in the future. As such, the college tries to have as many exit and entrance points in its programs as possible. The college representative interviewed provided the following success story which illustrates how this type of one-on-one support is provided.

Success Story: Nunavut Arctic College

A Senior Instructor in Management Studies program told a story of student who had passed all his courses except the math course. This instructor re-taught the course one-on-one and as a result of this personal support, the student passed and got his diploma. According to the instructor, “the smile on his face at convocation was so huge it lit up the room.”

3.5 Support Services to Facilitate Labour Market Participation

The practical, work-oriented nature of college and institute education and training programs means that colleges and institutes support their students with the transition into the labour market. This is achieved through a different mix of services offered by colleges and institutes, including: