Aboriginal advisory circle advocates for Aboriginal success

The University of Regina continues to create innovative programming to ensure Aboriginal students and faculty are supported in their post-secondary endeavours.

“The Aboriginal advisory circle offers relevant advice, guides Indigenous curriculum and offers emergency funds and bursaries to Aboriginal students” said Dr. Vianne Timmons, president and vice-chancellor at the university.

The Aboriginal advisory circle, put together this past June, consists of 27 U of R faculty and staff of Aboriginal ancestry. This volunteer committee has taken on the responsibility of discussing ways in which the university can enhance its services to the Aboriginal population on campus.

The group meets with Timmons once a month to provide advice, support and guide the university in creating a comfortable learning environment for Aboriginal students.

“Some Aboriginal students arrive on campus from rural communities or reserves and may not be completely comfortable in an unfamiliar city or university setting,” said Timmons. “This advisory group can provide information on how we can make these students feel like they belong and provide opportunities for academic success.”

Increasing Aboriginal supports on campus is important based on the growing population of Aboriginal students.  Currently, 1,300 students self-identify as Aboriginal, or 10 per cent of the academic population.  This number may be greater, as this only represents those that have identified themselves as Aboriginal.

“With a mission of inclusion, it is important that the university be proactive in attracting, retaining and ensuring success of our growing Aboriginal population. This advisory circle is a step in that direction,” said Timmons.

Aboriginal recruiters have been hired to visit Aboriginal communities and discuss how the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada can support their academic goals.  As well, Timmons has been active in visiting northern communities to meet with chiefs and other leaders to recruit potential students.

The U of R has provided $500,000 this year to moving Aboriginal programming, such as the advisory circle, forward.  As well, $50,000 has been set aside for emergency bursaries for Aboriginal students.

The Aboriginal advisory circle is committed to supporting the faculty and students on campus.

There are plans to increase the profile of the Aboriginal student centre and hire an Aboriginal advocate that would work closely with the advisory circle.

Expanding support for Aboriginal students and faculty has seen success. Last year alone, the U of R experienced a 48 per cent increase in their Aboriginal student enrollment from the previous year. This increase fits with the desire of the U of R and the FNUC to have a student base that reflects the demographic of the growing Aboriginal population in the province of Saskatchewan.