Alberta helps out

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Cheryl Sorell is happy to receive a little help to pay her tuition this year.

Sorell, who is in her third year of studies towards a bachelor's degree in child and youth care, is just one of 78 Aboriginal students from across Alberta who will be receiving money from the provincial government to help cover their education expenses.

The province is providing a total of $338,000 in bursaries to the students, all of whom are enrolled in health care related programs.

Since it was introduced by the province in 1996, the Aboriginal Health Careers Bursary has provided financial support to 483 Aboriginal students, to a tune of more than $2 million. The bursary amount differs from student to student, ranging from $1,000 to $13,000 per year to help cover the costs of post-secondary studies in a health care related field.

This year's recipients are studying in a variety of fields, including community health sciences, social work and kinesiology.

With the financial assistance she's receiving through the bursary, Sorell will find it easier to continue her studies. She's already earned a child and youth care diploma at Mount Royal College, and is using distance education to complete her degree through the University of Victoria.

A mother of four, Sorell said that, while studying through distance education takes some getting used to, it provides her with more flexibility, making it easier to balance family and studies. While earning her BA is her current focus, Sorell's long-term goals include pursuing a master's degree in psychology.

As for her career goals, Sorell plans to work with families.

"Basically, I feel that the family has always been a very important structure in society, and when the family unit is supported, I think it make for a strong society," she said.

"But collectively speaking, too, the family affects healthy development or not healthy development of children, and also healthy development of society in a general context as well."

Sorell believes it's important to support and encourage more Aboriginal people to enter health-related fields.

"You know, I really believe that, in the traditional sense of where the Aboriginal community's values are ... I think we could lead the way in terms of what we have to offer the rest of society, in terms of the values of respect and equality. That whole community sense, that we need each other," she said.

"I think we all find, especially maybe the older we get, that if we try and walk this journey by ourselves, we're not very successful. We do need each other."

Sorell encourages others Aboriginal students to put in the time and effort it takes to apply for financial assistance like the Aboriginal Health Careers Bursary in order to take advantage of all the supports available to them.

"I think you need to believe in your dreams and your vision. And just do what it takes. It's worth the effort to put into receiving all the support that you can to accomplish your dreams. And I think, even from an Aboriginal perspective, I think that the whole community concept, realizing that in order to succeed we really do need each other. And I think when somebody is willing to offer that kind of support, it's worth the effort to avail ourselves of that."