The innovative practices described in the box below highlight some of the main outcomes and impacts of community-based delivery of programs. Colleges and institutes affirmed that the programs designed specifically for Aboriginal students are done in complete cooperation with Aboriginal communities to ensure they are in line with learners’, community, and regional development, and labour market needs. This type of programming contributes significantly to Aboriginal community development by providing much needed education and training opportunities for future employment as well as role modeling for children and youth. As one respondent indicated:
“Staff work closely with Aboriginal Education Counsellors to ensure services are geared specifically to students in transition. Students are supported by a network of faculty, staff and counsellors (from their home communities). Many graduates get jobs in their home communities. More and more often we are welcoming children of past graduates to our college community. We see first-hand the positive effects that a post-secondary education can have for family and community.”
Exemplary Practices for the Identification of Aboriginal Community Needs and Community Delivery
Assiniboine Community College
The Aboriginal Community Development Program was developed to address the needs within the
Aboriginal community. The major contact with Aboriginal communities has been in the Health and
Human Services Areas, where the college has partnered with the communities to deliver Practical
Nursing, Health Care Aid and Early Childhood Education in the Communities. The main goal of
these projects is to meet labour market needs by training community members and keeping them
in the community.
Confederation College
Confederation College relies on direct dialogue with its partners, that is, Aboriginal communities,
agencies, educational authorities and First Nation/Band administrations. The college relies on
focus groups and surveys around specific projects and program development initiatives. The
membership of the Negahneewin Council which is diverse and representative of all Aboriginal
groups, urban, rural and reserve based is also an important resource and support mechanism for
the identification of Aboriginal community needs.
The college has a great coherence with Aboriginal community needs and community
development through the inclusive consultative model with the Negahneewin Council, with focus
groups locally and regionally, and direct work with communities directly, for example, remote fly
in communities. The college developed an applied degree in Indigenous Leadership and
Community Development using a strong consultation model that was targeted regionally and
seeks direct input and feedback to ensure the appropriateness of new implementation
approaches
Fanshawe College
Individual First Nations make requests for specific training they would like to offer on-site in the
First Nations communities. Also, the College completed a Human Resource Strategy for the
London District Chiefs Council which provided an overall human resource strategy as well as
individual strategies for the seven (7) local First Nations communities.
Grant MacEwan College
Based on community consultation, the Aboriginal Police Studies and Mental Health Programs
were created. The college and the stakeholder groups worked collaboratively in the development
of these programs to ensure that the curriculum met the needs of the community as well as
ensuring student success. Critical to this development, was the inclusiveness and consultation
with the Aboriginal community and other stakeholders. The programs have continued to work
closely with the Aboriginal community through Advisory committees to ensure community
involvement.