Get out the text books

Page 15

Vocational level courses can often be the foot-in-the-door that students need to enter universities. In Edmonton, both the Alberta Volcational College and the University of Alberta are working to make education and training more accessible to Aboriginal students.

Academic upgrading and career training are available at Edmonton's Alberta Vocational College.

"Upgrading is from Grades zero to 12 with graduates not necessarily completing high school," explained Brenda Rylands, Aboriginal student liaison for the college.

Successful upgrading graduates finish only core prerequisites needed for other programs. Intakes are in September and February with classes lasting five months. The college welcomes all cultures and has a full complement of career courses available which include Graphic Imaging, Warehousing, Safety Training and Computer Training. The choices can fit any need, said Rylands.

The college also caters to the student's personal and professional development, offering counseling, the provision of health services, employment and testing.

The college has hosted round dances and Rylands is working toward ongoing cultural activities including Native craft displays and healing circles.

At the University of Alberta, there's also a number of services and programs for Aboriginal interest.

Art Beaver, director of Native Student Services, said his department helps Aboriginal students find the resources they need at the huge campus. Native Student Services works as a liaison between Aboriginal program representatives, students and faculty and endorses Aboriginal student groups. The department also assists in pre-admission and personal counseling, funding concerns and provides computer lab facilities. Specific programs of interest to Aboriginal people considering Native-specific programs at the university level can look to the School of Native Studies, Indigenous Law Program, First Nations Graduate Education Program and Aboriginal Health Care Careers.

No matter which school a student enters, heading back to the books can be challenging, but one that offers many rewards.

The late Chief Dan George once said of his nation's students that "the long years of study will demand more determination, separation from home and family will demand endurance. But they will emerge with their hands held forward to grasp the place in society that is rightfully theirs."