In the Yaqwiimit Room at the Alberni District Secondary School Career Fair Nov. 4, students could speak directly with representatives from a number of universities and training institutions that are part of the Strengthening Connections Program, as well as investigate their funding options through the Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program.
Communications/Information & Data Specialist Randy Ginger of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Education Department said the department has expanded its role in the annual event.
“We’re here for information sharing with the students and the teachers,” he said, casting a glance at the wall clock. “It’s going to get pretty hectic in about seven minutes when the bell rings.”
Diane Gallic, Nuu-chah-nulth Education Worker for ADSS, said a growing number of First Nations students are pursuing post-secondary education. That’s on top of a demographic shift that sees aboriginal students making up a larger percentage of the school population.
“Our aboriginal population is growing every year. This year we have 308 aboriginal students,” Gallic said. “This year we’ve invited the Metis Employment and Training Program, because we have a lot of Metis students here as well.”
Candace Graydon now serves as department Head for Counselling at ADSS. Formerly, she was a specialized First Nations counsellor. That has changed, Graydon said.
“We’ve changed things around this year. Now all of our counsellors are taking a role with First Nations youth,” he said. “I believe 20 per cent of our school population is now of First Nations ancestry. That is projected to increase to up to 40 per cent by the year 2020.”
Graydon said ADSS is part of an overall trend that is seeing higher graduation rates for First Nations students.
“That’s fine, but there’s always the other piece of, ‘Okay, you’ve graduated. Now what? How can we help you bridge to your next destination, whether that be post-secondary training or employment? How can we help you on your journey after you exit our building?’”
As Ginger predicted, following the 10 a.m. school bell, a steady stream of students, not all aboriginal, began to stream through the Yaqwiimit Room.
Heather Burke, who is Metis with roots in the Red River Settlement, is the Aboriginal Recruitment Officer for Vancouver Island University.
“Our goal is to develop relationships with communities and meet with the students face-to-face,” Burke said. “On Monday, we were in Ahousaht and (Tuesday) we were in Ucluelet. So our goal is to connect with aboriginal youth, both in the communities and in the high schools.”
The outreach also includes visits by successful alumni. On Monday, four mentors from Vancouver Island University’s 'Su'luqw'a' Community Cousins program took part in the Ahousaht visit, Burke said.
“It was great to have them there because they are able to connect with the students on a different level.”
Burke’s first visitor was Dallas Knighton, who hopes to pursue a career in the culinary arts. While he is only 15, he is already well focused.
“I would like to start a restaurant of my own,” he said, adding that he knows it will take more than learning how to serve a nice meal. “Right now I’m taking Planning 10. That helps with the business side.”
Another student with a specific goal in mind is Latrelle Seitcher of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
“I’m looking at ECE (Early Childhood Education),” he said. “Right now I’m checking out a couple of colleges.”
Like many First Nations students, he one day hopes to bring that training back to the Nuu-chah-nulth communities, even though he has grown up in Victoria and Port Alberni.
For those seeking a more hands-on training program, Tessa Quewezance represented the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, which, despite being based in Merritt, delivers trades training programs in Port Alberni.
“We deliver community education across Canada, including the Bridging to Trades program, right here,” Quewezance said.
Quewezance said one immediate priority in attracting aboriginal students is to avoid creating barriers.
“So if they come to see us, if post-secondary is their goal, they don’t get turned away. We do try to reach out to our First Nations students. Especially at events like this.”
NETPRobyn Samuel was on hand to discuss post-secondary training and support. The agency offers pre-employment training to any First Nations, Metis or Inuit person who lives within the territory of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.
“And if a person wants to take trades training, they can apply anywhere in B.C. They can apply for their living allowance, their tuition, their required books and required gear,” Samuel explained. “We do have in-house training with the BladeRunner Program. That is open to anybody – non-aboriginal as well. That’s for an age bracket between 19 and 30.
“The program used to be specialized in construction. Now it is industry-based, so whatever the demand of the job are, that’s what we’ll adjust our curriculum to.”
Mary Mack and Pharyn Frank, both from Ahousaht First Nation, stopped by to check out funding for art school. But each had a very specific goal.
“I want to go to Japan to train as a manga artist,” Mack said. “It’s a different sort of art style that the Japanese have. I have been practicing it for a while. There are a number of schools. Some are located in Tokyo and others are in different cities. There are two that I am looking at right now.”
“I’m looking for funding for college as well,” Frank said, “Most likely at Emily Carr [College of Art] in Vancouver.”
While her primary goal is to develop her drawing skills, Frank has already tried a wide range of artistic media. But she also has a very specific career in mind.
“Once I’ve completed my art training, I want to join the RCMP. I’d like to become a sketch artist.”
RCMP Aboriginal Recruiting Officer, Cpl. Bev Pitawanakwat, said many recruits don’t apply to join the force until they have completed post-secondary education. She regularly travels the province with the Strengthening Connections team, with the goal of increasing the number of Aboriginal officers in the RCMP.
“That has been a national strategic priority for a number of years,” said Pitawanakwat, who is a member of the Three Fires Confederacy of Northern Ontario. “We can never get enough. I personally, as a First Nations member, believe that nobody can serve our people better than our own people.”
