Shell helps put a byte into Native learning

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First Nation students will be able to surf through cyberspace a little more smoothly now that they have new computers courtesy of Shell Canada.

Shell revamped its computer system and donated 89 of their older 486-model computers, complete with monitors and Windows 95 software, to 12 local First Nation schools on May 30.

"We're very much involved in education so we're looking for opportunities to help the schools," Craig Barraclough, Aboriginal Affairs Advisor, said.

Shell has contributed to the federally administered Computer for Schools program, but, because Aboriginal schools have had difficulty accessing the program, Shell decided to give the computers directly to the schools. However, Barraclough said that the federal program has been overhauled to make it more accessible for Aboriginal schools and encourages them to use it.

Yvonne Crane, acting director of the Tsuu T'ina Adult Learning Centre, supports Shell's direct approach with First Nation schools.

"Hearing a little of the background and the history of the program I'm just really happy that the initiative is to finally go direct to the nations, make that contact rather than going around and having someone else trying to make it for us," Crane said.

Ken Turner from the Morely Community School on the Stoney Reserve received five computers for the school's computer class.

"These will be some extra computers that will run some new programs," Turner said.

Kansie Fox, a Grade 12 student from the Kainai High School on the Blood Reserve, appreciates Shell's support and the 15 computers she and her sister, Amanda, hauled away in their truck to go back to the school.

"I think it's a real good idea," Fox said. "They're not wasting computers, they're giving them to people who need them."

The other schools that received computers from Shell included, Chief Old Sun School and the Siksika Nation Crowfoot Elementary School, Siksika Nation Tatsikiisaapo'p Middle School, Blood Reserve Levern Elementary School and the Saipoyi Community School, the Tsuu T'ina Junior High School, Tsuu T'ina Nation Chula Elementary School, Tsuu T'ina Nation Ta-Otha School - Nordegg.

Barraclough said Shell has been involved with First Nation education for a number of years and recently has expanded its support in other areas, including a $300,000 Aboriginal achievement scholarship fund

In addition to that fund, Barraclough said Shell contributes to the education of Aboriginal communities in Canada through its Community Investment Program by the establishment of other scholarship funds, sponsoring non-profit events and by hiring from local Aboriginal communities.

"Those kinds of initiatives would vary from supporting local powwows to what we refer to as, Stay-in-school bursaries, to encourage the Aboriginal students to graduate," Barraclough said.

Along with Aboriginal groups, Shell has helped to create the Economics of Staying in School, Junior Achievement program which is aimed at convincing Aboriginal students to stick with education. The program is working very well and interest is growing.

"We got input from the Assembly of First Nations and the Metis National Council to create a culturally appropriate program for Aboriginal students and that is now expanding across Canada in a lot of Aboriginal schools," said Barraclough.

Through the program, Aboriginal role models speak to students about the necessity of acquiring an education to find employment, what kind of skills are needed for different jobs and the finances needed to live in a certain fashion.