NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2005AE0064-000808 Sept. 12, 2005	Ministry of Advanced Education
22% FUNDING INCREASE SUPPORTS ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

VICTORIA – Government has increased funding to $1.8 million for 36 new projects that will help Aboriginal students across B.C. pursue their post-secondary education and career goals, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced today.

 

            “One of the goals of this government is to increase access to higher education for Aboriginal learners so they have the opportunity to participate fully in B.C.’s growing economy,” Coell said. “These new projects are truly innovative, and because projects are developed in collaboration, the connections between the Aboriginal and academic communities of our province are strengthened.”

 

Government has added $330,000 to the Aboriginal special project funding budget this year, an increase of 22 per cent. Each year, public post-secondary institutions submit proposals that address government’s priorities related to Aboriginal language, culture and history, adult basic education, teacher training, health sciences, math, sciences and the trades. This year’s projects will run at 20 of the province’s 26 public post-secondary institutions.

 

Projects for 2005-06 include learning circles to support Aboriginal nursing, designed to help recruit, retain and provide best practices for health care in Aboriginal communities. The project is a partnership of North Island College, Malaspina University-College, the University of Victoria’s school of nursing, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council nursing program, Inter Tribal Heath and the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Delivered separately by each institution, the learning circles will help bring together the goals of the nursing schools, the health authority and Aboriginal communities.

 

“Aboriginal special project funding has allowed North Island College to develop First Nations-specific programs and courses that have been requested by, and often run within, First Nations communities as well as on campus,” said Vivian Hermansen, director of Aboriginal education at North Island College. “These funds greatly support our work toward creating the educational spaces where indigenous values and knowledge are respected.”

 

Since 2001, the Ministry of Advanced Education has provided about $7.8 million to fund 150 Aboriginal special projects, which more than 3,400 Aboriginal learners have benefited from. Many post-secondary institutions also include and deliver Aboriginal-focused programs as part of their regular course content.

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Media contact:	Paul Woolley Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6508 250 213-1171 (cell)
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