Aboriginal peoples and post-secondary education : Population autochtone et l'éducation postsecondaire : ce que les enseignants ont appris

The low rate of formal education in the Aboriginal population will likely determine the overall state of Aboriginal society’s health, wealth and potential for the future. [...] Social assistance benefits the knowledge and skills it has to offer, the and seasonal jobs are often the main sources desirability and value of which are presumed of income on some reserves and the majority to be self-evident. [...] Student comments, which highlighted the lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity among staff members, particularly in mainstream courses, included the following:16 The majority of mainstream staff are ignorant of Indigenous culture and history Some staff have veiled prejudices—comments made in my presence, unaware of my Aboriginal descent In the same study approximately 43 per cent of students i [...] CULTURAL BARRIERS Too often, little of what Aboriginal students be little or no affirmation of Aboriginal iden- bring in the way of cultural knowledge, tradi- tity, and the environment may replicate the tion and values is recognized or respected in negative features that led students to drop out the post-secondary system. [...] Those who do survive in of children and youth, is also encountered in the academic environment for four or more the education of adults.21 years often find themselves caught between The culture of the post-secondary system two worlds, neither of which can fully satisfy was a prevalent theme in the literature their acquired tastes and aspirations, and reviewed and in the interviews undertaken there