Study dispels myths

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A new study undertaken by the Rondor Academy has uncovered interesting new data about Native students that blows old misconceptions and stereotypes out of the water.

Because of the diversity of students at the college located in Edmonton's downtown area, the school has an ideal opportunity to closely study many "disadvantaged" students such as women, disabled people, Native people and long-time welfare recipients.

Many employers are often reluctant to hire people from these so-called 'high-risk' categories because they feel they will be unreliable. These categories also include people in their 40s and older, and people with very young children.

However, executive director Dorothy Nadeau has completed a study of these preconceptions for her doctorate thesis in higher education for the University of Alberta.

In her study Nadeau found that Native people actually beat our non-Native people in several categories; particularly in drop out rates. Nadeau found in her survey that 21.1 per cent of dropouts were Native, whereas 31.9 per cent were non-Native. Only when there was no daycare assistance was there any significant difference.

In most other categories Nadeau found that Native people received the same results as non-Native people. Interestingly, Nadeau found that, although older Native students initially expressed fear over their ability to learn, after overcoming these negative barriers they were able to succeed equally as well as their younger counterparts.

About one-third of the students who attend the Rondor Academy are Native and Nadeau has been able to study Native students who work alongside non-Native students.

"The Native students are just great," she says. "We have some brilliant Native women. They are strong, they are willing to learn and they are always cheerful."

And, she says, it is important that Native women begin to realize they are capable of high achievement and success despite poor training or inadequate education.

"You can start at any time," she says. "We have women in theirs 40s, 50s and even 60s who have returned to school and are now doing very well. But you have to have the confidence to start.

The school holds courses in job readiness as well as training in business and office equipment. It is located at 10105 ? 109 Street in Edmonton.