Aboriginal-controlled institutions are focused on providing student support and community- based programming and delivery. The list of programs of Ontario Aboriginal institutes provided by the Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium is included as Appendix B to this report.

The Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium (AIC) has identified some key challenges faced by Aboriginal-controlled institutions which affect their capacity to deliver sustainable post­ secondary services and programs, including:

The AIC has advocated that the Ontario provincial government provide recognition to Aboriginal institutes through policy and legislative support however there has been limited movement on these recommendations in comparison to the magnitude of education and training needs that are required to address the needs of Aboriginal peoples. In the past, the AIC asked the provincial government to help by putting together a standard template for articulation agreements between Aboriginal and mainstream institutions with a view to making the process more equitable and effective for both types of institutions.

5. Funding for Aboriginal Programs and Services

Given the Aboriginal demographic reality of an increasing and younger Aboriginal population base, and the barriers Aboriginal people face when trying to access post-secondary studies; it is clear that there is a need for sustainable and holistic post-secondary education services and programs for Aboriginal people. The funding sources and structures in place to meet Aboriginal people’s post-secondary education needs are varied and complex. This section provides an overview of the main sources of funding available for Aboriginal post-secondary participation, explains how colleges and institutes are funding Aboriginal services and programs, and describes the funding challenges colleges and institutes identified and their suggestions for enhancing funding structures and programs.

5.1 Post-secondary Funding for Aboriginal Learners

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provides limited support for Status Indians through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) and the University College Entrance Preparation Program. These programs assist eligible Status Indian and Inuit students with tuition, books, travel and living expenses. Almost all of the combined funds of these two programs are delivered directly by First Nations Bands or their administering organizations. Band Councils have had to develop their own selection criteria and policies due to limitations of the funds and restrictions placed on them by regional INAC representatives.