Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Boeing, the world's leading
aerospace company, have signed an agreement that will dramatically strengthen the Institute's
capacity to prepare First Nations youth for information technology and other technology-based
jobs in high demand in the Canadian labour market. Boeing is equipping SIIT with the latest
computer technology to replace aging equipment: 330 new PCs, as well as printers, servers and
complementary hardware to permit a major upgrade of the Institute's technology infrastructure.
In addition, Boeing has arranged expert training in database and network management for
SIIT's Information Technology program instructors, delivered by faculty from the Center for the
Application of Information Technology (CAIT) which is part of Washington University located in
St. Louis, Missouri.
Vancouver Community College (VCC)
VCC has partnered with Bell Canada to offer a summer institute for Aboriginal high school
students who are interested in Health/Science careers, to begin in summer 2005. The objective
of this program is to connect Aboriginal students to the Health field, make them aware of the
range of opportunities and careers available through VCC and other post-secondary institutions,
and help them establish career goals.
Other Post-Secondary Institutions
Aboriginal institutions and colleges serving northern regions and territories have partnerships
with universities for university transfer and joint degree programs in the following fields:
Business Administration, Child Care, Law, Nursing, Social Work and Teacher Education. These
programs enable Aboriginal learners to either complete the entire program at the
colleges/institutes or begin in their home region or territory and transfer to the partner university
for the last one or two years of the degree program.
Nunavut Arctic College is a very active member of the University of the Arctic, which is a network of institutions of higher education and Aboriginal organizations that want to increase education opportunities for people in the circum polar world. Through this partnership Nunavut Arctic College offers access to a Bachelor of Circum Polar Studies program. All University of the Artic partner institutions own the curriculum and can work collaboratively with other institutions to deliver the programs.
Provincial and Federal Government Departments
Colleges and institutes also partner with provincial and federal government departments to
deliver programs which support government efforts at promoting Aboriginal employment. For
example:
Grant MacEwan College
Grant MacEwan College has a strong partnership with the Alberta Solicitor General. The
college was approached to develop a program to improve the success of Aboriginal youth
wanting police/security careers. As a result, the college has worked collaboratively with
reserves and settlements, Aboriginal, municipal and federal police services, First Nations and
Métis funding agencies, as well as other key stakeholder groups. This program has been
extremely successful and has led to partnerships with other provinces and territories.