Canadian Colleges & Institutes - Meeting the Needs of Aboriginal Learners

As an ideal role-model, another young woman completed the 2 year Aesthetics Program and the 1 year Cosmetic Techniques & Management course and has now developed her own business offering beautician services to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples living in a small town in Northern Ontario. As a young entrepreneur she has very positive things to say about her time studying at Seneca College thus advertising the institution by word of mouth.

An interesting component to all 3 'success' stories is that all of these people worked part-time staffing the Seneca College Aboriginal Resource Area as Aboriginal Administrative Assistants to the Aboriginal Services Consultant. These opportunities may have helped them take 'ownership' of their designated space, small as it is, and, through interacting with visitors gave them practice working with the public as well as providing them with a safe harbour within the institution.?

Aboriginal colleges and institutes offer programs specifically designed and developed to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners and their communities. SIIT and NVIT participated in interviews for this study. Maskwachees Cultural College in Alberta and Yellowquill College in Manitoba are two additional ACCC Aboriginal member institutions, however they were not available for interviews at the time of the study. Based on the interviews with NVIT and SIIT and a review of Maskwachees Cultural College and Yellowquill College websites, a list of programs offered by ACCC Aboriginal member institutions is provided in the box below.

NVIT and SIIT affirmed that programs are developed based on the core values that post secondary education as a treaty right for Aboriginal people and should be controlled by Aboriginal people. As such programs combine technical and academic skills and knowledge with Aboriginal values, traditions, history and ways of knowing, for example:

Business, community development and administration programs are designed to assist Aboriginal learners and communities meet the leadership and management challenges of business and Aboriginal self-sufficiency and self-government.
Aboriginal, First Nations and Native Studies programs examine Aboriginal history, laws, languages, arts, literatures, cultures, as well as social, political and economic issues. Typically, graduates of these types of programs develop critical reasoning skills and knowledge applicable to many entry level planning and development positions, for Band controlled programs and projects, and related sectors of mainstream society.
Natural resources and environmental programs provide training that reflects traditional native ethics of respect and care in the management and protection of forests, grassland, range, fish, wildlife and other wilderness resources.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) and First Nations Child Care programs provide training on ECE and child care theories, values, culture, practices, skills and standards relevant to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.