Native programs boosted by large donation

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What may have been "the largest single donation to this university by any Aboriginal organization," has been made by Canative Housing Corporation of Edmonton, said Lewis Cardinal, the director of the Office of Native Student Services at the University of Alberta.

The $500,000 contribution was made Dec. 5 at the university's Faculty Club during a formal, closed reception that acknowledged the gift from the corporation headed up by Herb Belcourt, George Brosseau and Orville Belcourt.

The gift is meant to assist in the development of a recruitment and community relations program within the office of Native Student Services on campus.

In accepting the cheque, Cardinal hailed Canative's contribution as a giant leap forward, one that says, "we need to support our Aboriginal students . . . and take the path of learning as the way to personal empowerment."

The area of recruitment and community relations, according to Cardinal, has always been a top priority of their office. "It has also been a difficult one to consistently maintain,"particularly during this period of financial pressure and necessity."

He points to the track record of the campus over the past year as evidence of their dire need for funding to assist the program, which connects their Aboriginal recruitment officer, Cathy Sewell, and the program with Aboriginal communities and private industry, as well as with federal and provincial agencies.

In fact, their recruitment initiative increased "ten fold," during that time said Cardinal.

These efforts enhance Native Student Services' objectives in increasing the enrollment of students and increasing and improving community relations.

Cardinal compares education with freedom by saying, "students not only liberate themselves, but their children and their children's children" when they acquire an education.

The university's president, Roderick Fraser, praised the recruitment initiative. He acknowledged Canative Housing Corporation's ongoing commitment and support for the university's Aboriginal students and programs, that he said can only do good and be a god-send for all affected.

Up to now, the task of community relations and recruiting has fallen to Sewell and 14 student ambassadors. They have travelled around Alberta, providing information and sharing their own experiences with people at the community level about what university is all about.

The program has largely been funded by the Northern Links program of the Northern Alberta Development Council, and is called SAGE (Student Ambassadors Guiding Education).

With the conclusion of presentations at the Faculty Club, the Canative representatives were presented with Pendleton blankets and an eagle feather. The feather is meant to honor the "visions and service" that the Canative delegates represent.

To further honor the trio, the Buffalo Tail Singers/Drummers sang an Honor Song. That was followed by a light brunch and mixing and socializing by the guests.