AUCC calls for action on First Nations higher education

OTTAWA, September 23, 2010 – The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada views increased Aboriginal access, participation and success in higher education a national priority, and joins Aboriginal stakeholders in calling for increased action to achieve these goals.

The AUCC considers this a priority not just because it is important to Aboriginal peoples, but because it is of vital importance to all Canadians. Aboriginal youth are one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian population. There are more than 460,000 under the age of 20. During the next two decades, they will enter the workforce, at the same time that thousands of baby boomers are retiring.

The more highly trained and skilled these young Aboriginal Canadians are, the better they will do. They can become the engineers, nurses, educators, doctors, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers that their communities need. Canada needs these young Aboriginal Canadians to succeed.

Yet even though Canada’s Aboriginal population is growing at three times the national average, only eight percent of Aboriginals had completed a university program in 2006. That is just one third of the national average. Things must change.

Canada’s universities are doing their part. Together with Aboriginal partners, we have learned that Aboriginal students are most successful when learning is linked to their own culture and way of life. We have significantly increased the academic programming, support programs and financial aid available to Aboriginal students.

There have been successes. From only two status Indians attending university in 1952, there are between 25,000 and 30,000 Aboriginal students enrolled in universities across Canada today. But more must be done.

We strongly encourage the federal government to invest in:

• Improved student financial aid for Aboriginal students.
• Sustainable funding for vitally important support programs such as tutoring, social support, elders visits, career counselling and mentoring.
• New partnerships between universities and Aboriginal communities to improve elementary and secondary school results.

AUCC and its 95 member institutions are committed to working with governments and Aboriginal communities across the country to transform enrolment and graduation rates.

In 2009 and again this year, AUCC identified Aboriginal higher education as one of its top three priorities in its pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.

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The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities. AUCC represents 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

For more information:

Robert South
Government relations officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
613-563-3961, ext. 288
rsouth@aucc.ca