Province supports Native students at LU

News Release
Ont. Govt.

THUNDER BAY, ON, July 24 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is expanding support for Aboriginal students to ensure they have the opportunity to study and succeed at postsecondary education, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.
“Lakehead’s leadership in Aboriginal access programs with academic supports for programs like biological science and chemistry are exactly the types of initiatives we should be funding to stream more Aboriginal students into health-related professions,” said Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“The Native Nurses Entry Program at Lakehead is a model for other Aboriginal health human resource initiatives,” said Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikoken. “Our government knows that this is the best way to train and retain health professionals who can serve our Aboriginal communities.”
“Lakehead University is proud of the progress it is making in providing opportunities for Aboriginal students to access a university education,” said Dr. Fred Gilbert, President of Lakehead University. “This funding allows us and others to bolster the support structure for Aboriginal access/bridging programs.”
In 2007-08 the McGuinty government will be providing $4.8 million in new funding for a number of new and continuing programs, bringing its total annual investment in Aboriginal postsecondary education to almost $17 million. The additional funding, including $4 million through the Access to Opportunities Strategy, will support a range of initiatives for Aboriginal postsecondary students, including:
-$1 million for inclusion of new publicly funded postsecondary education institutions into the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy
-$1.75 million for academic support and access/bridging programs
-$1 million for targeted Aboriginal teacher education and Aboriginal health human resources initiatives
-$250,000 for the Aboriginal Language Literacy Strategy
- $780,000 to enhance the start up and development fund under the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy supporting Aboriginal institutions, in partnership with Ontario colleges and universities, for recognized postsecondary programming, bring total investment in 2007-08 to $2.58 million.
Program funding at each college and university will be determined following a call for proposals process.
The government also recently announced a $2 million endowment to the Council of Ontario Universities to support the establishment of a Research Chair in Métis Studies at a university in Ontario.
“The Native Nurses Entry Program at Lakehead University really helped prepare me for the challenges and academic rigor in the BSc in Nursing degree program,” said Jacqueline Tennapel, a Native Nurses Entry Program graduate entering the BSc in Nursing this fall. “With three full-time staff, there was always someone to help with any academic or non-academic issue. I know they will be there for me next year, with words of encouragement and continued support as I pursue my dream to become a nurse.”
“We’re helping the over 7,600 Aboriginal students who are looking for opportunity through postsecondary education,” Bentley said. “Our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians including Aboriginals have a fair shot at success.”