New Aboriginal high school opens its doors

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The Odawa Native Friendship Centre and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board have joined forces to offer Aboriginal students a unique program that incorporates Native culture into the high school curriculum.

"This program is unlike any other alternative high school program because we base everything on the seven grandfather teachings," said Greta Neepin-Kirkness, education counsellor at the Odawa Friendship Centre.

The teachings are integrated into the student's courses, such as mathematics, science and life skills. The program also includes Elder teachings, sharing circle, and hand drum making and drum teachings.

Students arrive at 9:30 a.m. but start the day at 10 a.m. with a smudge. For the balance of the day they work independently at their own pace, but if they need help they are encouraged to ask the teacher.

"Help is individualized for each student. Support is available for the student in terms of counselling through the counsellor or through Elders, sharing circles, healing circles and the various support programs that are available at the friendship centre," said Kirkness.

Michael Corkery, 19, is one of 12 students who currently attend this Aboriginal alternative high school program. Corkery attended a regular high school in Ottawa, but he wasn't doing so well. Now that he's taking part in this new program, he seems to be doing much better and he says that this program is where he wants to stay for now.

"This is not like any other high school. It makes me want to achieve," Corkery said. "I think it's so great and I'm glad that I have a chance to be a part of this school."

So far there are three other school programs like this in Ontario. Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury and N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre have alternative high school programs run in partnership with local school boards.

These programs all share two features: the courses offered are based on the seven grandfather teachings and their objective is to help Native youth and adults improve their education so they can successfully enter the workforce.

To qualify for these alternative high school programs students must have been out of high school for at least a year. Students have to submit two lessons a week and can't participate in any of the extracurricular activities organized by the centre until those lessons are completed.

Kelly-Lee Assinewe, Native education support worker at N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre believes that there should be more of these programs for Aboriginal youth set up all over Ontario.

"What makes the program really work is the flexibility," Assinewe said. "Students can come anytime they want between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. just as long as they complete the required lessons."

At lease twice a month students from the N'Swakamok program participate either in skating or bowling. N'Swakamok also offers a co-op program to students who want to go out into the work force. This is a non-paying placement, however the students earn four credits upon completion.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the students because they can use the co-op experience on their resume," Assinewe said. "Sometimes, employers will offer paid part-time work to the students."

Part of the reason the students who now attend the alternative high school programs were unsuccessful in a regular high school was because of the clashes with other students.

"There was maybe a sense of not belonging and the pressure to complete assigned lessons in short deadlines," said Trish Meekins, education counsellor at the N'Amerind Friendship Centre.

Meekins agrees that there's a need for more of these programs all over but is happy with the ones that are already in place.

"I'm glad to see more of these programs forming. The youth and adults need these programs."