First Nation student triumphs

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BURNABY-Kathleen Dixon never completed Grade 7.

Divorced at age 21, she had three children, no job, no education, and very little hope.

"There were many things to worry about-family, home, extended family. I had always wished I could have more education, but the opportunity never presented itself," recalled Dixon, a long-time Comox Valley resident of Metis heritage.

She always found her lack of education a barrier to finding a decent job.

"When I was job hunting, the response to my resume was always the same. 'You have no education,'" said Dixon.

With her kids grown, Dixon decided the time was right to go back to school. To further her goal of working in Aboriginal community organizations, she chose to study Open Learning Agency (OLA) business management courses at Chemainus Native College located in Ladysmith.

"I wanted to understand the problems and be part of the solutions in the Aboriginal communities, to understand the past and help create the future," Dixon said.

Returning to school was rewarding, but a challenge. She had to relearn how to study, regain her confidence, and struggle to admit she needed help for dyslexia. Separation from her family was also difficult, as well as the death of her father two weeks before her final semester.

"At times I felt almost lost and so very alone. The demands of the courses would have sent me over the edge if I hadn't had many people telling me I could do it. OLA staff listened, fixed and fine-tuned programs and exams to help me," said Dixon, who also thanked her husband Gilbert, her instructors, and several Aboriginal organizations for their support during her studies.

This June, at the age of 56, Dixon became the proud recipient of an OLA Diploma in Management Studies.

"I had fun, pain, exaltation, panic, but a great sense of accomplishment during my time with OLA," she said.

Currently a volunteer with various Aboriginal organizations, she continues to work with her colleagues to improve community awareness of Aboriginal issues.

From a place of little hope, she is now on her way to achieving her goal of combining a career with service to her community.

The Open Learning Agency (OLA) has assisted in the development of community-based First Nations learning centres across the province.

At these centres, First Nations students learn at their own pace in a setting that is in tune with their culture. OLA's partner learning centres may offer Adult Basic Education upgrading courses and programs, business and other college courses, as well as some university level courses.

The mission of the Open Learning Agency is to enhance the personal growth of individuals and their performance in society and in the workplace through the provision of high-quality, flexible learning products, services, and systems.