The Indian Studies Support Program (ISSP) has limited (and time-limited) funding. Camosun College pointed out that this type of funding should go first to community and/or Aboriginal institutions and that: “Public institutions should not have to rely on 'Indian money' to provide Aboriginal programming."
Nova Scotia Community College indicated that in their context, one of the biggest challenges is getting First Nations Band Council funding for students to come to college because some bands do not understand that college provides post-secondary level education.
Colleges and institutes pointed out that trying to get federal, provincial and First Nations Band funding committed is a very time consuming process. As a result, it can often take up to two years to secure the funding for a new program or service.
In addition, sometimes one funding source cannot be combined with another, such as AHRDA funding with HRSDC program funds. It seems that there is not sufficient regional planning of the bigger picture and how it all fits into a local regional human development process.
With the understanding that colleges and institutes work with Aboriginal learners on a day to day basis, in light of the funding challenges identified, colleges and institutes were asked to provide their perspective and make suggestions on how to enhance current funding structures. Colleges and institutes provided different suggestions which are listed and grouped below.