Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/100814
EDUCATION By Martin Zeilig There are many educational opportunities available for First Nations people in Manitoba���and elsewhere in Canada, for that matter. Here are few such programs: The Paul Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative ��� The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP) offered through the initiative, is intended to encourage Aboriginal youth to remain in school and develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to achieve success in secondary school, post-secondary education or vocational training in the workplace and daily life. A two credit Grade 11 and Grade 12 curriculum contains Aboriginal content, including case studies, teaching strategies and examples of successful Canadian Aboriginal business leaders. Manitoba Schools participating in this initiative include, Children of the Earth, an existing project with Gordon Bell High, Grand Rapids School and Major Pratt School-Waywayseecappo First Nation Community School joined as new sites for the 2012/13 school year. University College of the North Bachelor of Education Program (UCN BEd): The Kenanow Bachelor of Education Program at the University College of the North was launched in fall of 2008 and graduated its first class of graduates in June 2010 from both The Pas and Thompson campuses. UCN has also developed the Educational Assistants Certificate Program in Norway House in September 2010 to meet the needs of schools and education programs in the north. Program for the Education of Native Teachers (PENT) ��� The PENT Program at Brandon University was developed in 1972 and averages approximately 19 graduates annually. PENT reported 23 graduates in July 2012. Community-Based Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP) ��� CATEP was established in 2005 by the University of Winnipeg in response to the growing need for more Aboriginal teachers in Winnipeg schools. Specifically designed for Aboriginal educational assistants, the program provides counselling and academic advising as well as tutoring and skill development. Initially its partnerships began with the Winnipeg and Seven Oaks School Divisions and later expanded to include River East/Transcona, Seine River, Lord Selkirk School Divisions and Brokenhead First Nation. CATEP graduated its first cohort in October 2011 with 10 graduates. The Government of Canada sponsors the Skills Development Training which provides financial assistance to unemployed Aboriginal individuals in order to assist them with developing basic to advanced employable skills. ���A good education leads to greater economic opportunities for individual students, which in turn contributes to healthier, more prosperous and self-sufficient First Nation communities,��� says the Federal government���s website. Sources: Province of Manitoba, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Also click on the following link to see programs available at Red River College: http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ Northern/NorthMart URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO GET LAKE ST. MARTIN FIRST NATION STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL: ROBINSON Province Offers Additional After-school Support To Students, Families Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson today urged First Nation and federal officials to come to an agreement on the resumption of classes as soon as possible for students of Lake St. Martin First Nation and offered new after-school program support for students and families. "As soon as we were notified of the school closure, we arranged and offered alternate class space in the provincial school system to allow students to continue their studies together as a community," said Robinson. "Allowing the students to fall further behind with this offer sitting on the table would be nothing short of irresponsible. "We have also offered to work with the community to quickly develop a program that would provide students with activities in the critical after-school hours and help them get through this difficult time." The after-school program would be modeled after the province's successful Bright Futures program that partners with communityorganizationstodeliverindividually tailored supports including tutoring, outreach to increase family involvement in schools, mentoring, goal-setting, career exploration and bursaries in order to improve graduation rates and increase access to postsecondary education. The provincial offer to work with the community to develop after-school programming could result in organized activities in areas such as: Northern stores development, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Our Community Promise We strive to help make a positive, progressive difference within each community we serve. www.facebook.com/northernstores