First Nations Technical Institute turns 20

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Ontario's oldest Aboriginal owned and operated post-secondary and training institute celebrated a milestone on Aug. 21-two decades of delivering higher education to Aboriginal people.

The First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI), located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, has produced more than 2,000 graduates since first opening its doors in 1985.

The anniversary celebrations kicked off with a community breakfast followed by activities for both young and old. Children enjoyed a bike rodeo, face painting and craft tables, while older celebrants visited a display of the works of local artisans and took in a talent showcase, karaoke and a horseshoe tournament.

"The celebration was both fun and relaxed," said Richard Johnston, FNTI interim president.

After leaving the institute in 1998 to pursue the president position at Centennial College in Toronto, Johnston was asked to come back in March 2005 as part of a major restructuring plan to ensure the institution continues to meet its educational commitments to Aboriginal people. Johnston said he would stay with FNTI until they complete their search for an Aboriginal president.

FNTI has transfer agreements with a number of other post-secondary institutes, including Ryerson University, St. Lawrence College, Canadore College and Humber College. Through these education bodies, FNTI can offer studies in public administration, social work, journalism, aviation and health sciences.

Johnston said the school always has "great ease" in getting the social services program filled, but these days, the public administration program is probably the one that is in the highest demand.

The journalism and media studies are taught primarily at FNTI. To date, the Indigenous health program has been taught at FNTI but they are looking at moving it into the same style of delivery as they use for the other programs-offering them through the affiliated colleges and universities.

Aviation is another popular program at FNTI. Johnston said approximately 90 per cent of the students in the program come from somewhere other than Tyendinaga. He said FNTI has students from B.C. and the Yukon and two Inuit students studying in the aviation program, which is taught entirely at FNTI.

"We also have a fair number of women in the program," said Johnston. "Two of our female teachers are graduates of the aviation program. In fact, all of our instructors are graduates of FNTI."

According to Johnston, FNTI is currently looking into offering additional programs such as a legal secretary program and nurse practitioner and environmental worker options. Another major initiative being considered is incorporating apprenticeship and trades programs.

Johnston said that without FNTI, many Aboriginal students who want to pursue higher education wouldn't have the opportunity.

The institute has developed a worldwide reputation for its recognition of prior learning, Johnston said.

Through its prior learning assessment (PLA) process, the school identifies, assesses and then recognizes learning acquired through both formal and informal study. This may include work and life experience, training, independent study, volunteering, travel, hobbies and family experiences. That prior learning can then be applied toward meeting the requirements of an academic or training program.

"They (FNTI) turned the PLA into a portfolio development, which really helped people become aware of their strengths and weaknesses," said Johnston. "This was really brilliant to watch, the changes in these people. Because they came into these programs sometimes totally lacking in confidence. By the end of the program, the FNTI graduates would be giving these incredible speeches at graduation. They indicated an enormous growth as a personal being rather than just the academic side."

FNTI sponsored and organized its first PLA conference in March 1990. Since then, the conference has become an annual even. This year's conference, Strengthening Pathways for Adult Learners: Changing Lives and Influencing the Future, was held in Belleville from May 31 to June 3.

"FNTI is really a place that believes in education, because the staff here always wants to go out, learn, and be at the front edge of things," said Johnston.

For more information about the First Nations Technical Institute, visit the institute's Web site at www.fnti.net or call (613) 396-2122.