Students chime in on challenges in education

More funding–with less strings attached–and transitional support are what First Nations students across the country said were required for them to not only complete their post-secondary education but to consider pursuing further education.

“We face great challenges in the full spectrum of education,” said Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Chief Shawn Atleo.

Atleo hosted the AFN’s first virtual summit on education on Jan. 27. The event took place at Vancouver Island University on the Nanaimo campus. Atleo is chancellor at VIU.

First Nations students from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick west to the Prairie provinces and Vancouver Island shared their points of view on six questions offered prior to the summit. Those questions were:
1. What do you require to successfully complete your post-secondary education;

2. What is your greatest challenge in accessing post-secondary education;

3. What is the place to help your success, both at your post-secondary institution and in your community;

4. What are your challenges and opportunities in accessing funding;

5. How do you maintain connection to your home community;

6. And, what will make things better for you.
Atleo said the answers for the questions overlapped in a number of areas.

Taking both feedback from those in attendance and emails from those who connected virtually, Atleo said it was important to hear from those who were directly impacted.

“We know the realities in our communities. We know the challenges our people face,” he said.

Only four per cent of people on reserves have university degrees, Atleo said.

Challenges were numerous, with funding topping the concerns. Funding issues included restricted access to dollars, not enough money available, and students living off-reserve being cut off from band funding. Having to take a full course load in order to get funding, while juggling raising children and upgrading marks, was noted.

“Right now there are limitations on post-secondary funding. If you want to pursue more than four years, you aren’t funded,” said one student. “You wonder why there aren’t more graduates? It’s because of this obstacle.”

One woman said her student loan was $10,000 to $20,000 because of lack of band funding.

“That’s an important reality check as far as the issue of funding and how students are accessing their funding . . . . The challenges are very real as we are hearing, as well as taking on big student debt loads,” said Atleo.

Help on the academic front was raised as a concern, with funding for laptops, Internet access at accommodations, technical support, tutoring help, and an academic support worker needed.

Off-campus trials also factored in as a major stumbling block.

Affordable accommodation with Internet access and more childcare, in particular after-hour care, were two points repeatedly raised.

One father said he had to live in a shelter for his first two months attending university until he could find safe and affordable housing in order to bring his children to come live with him.

“I almost considered giving up, heading home,” he said.
Transition from home to the university setting was a huge challenge and many respondents called for transitional support workers, counseling services, Elder support, and financial help for semi-regular visits back home.

“We need to wrap learners around with a circle of support to ensure they get over those tough early times,” said Atleo.

How post-secondary institutions responded to First Nations students was also a factor.

One student noted that his university offered a bridging program which made the transition easier, and another pointed out that making use of the universities “gathering place” fostered support and strength. But another student talked about being isolated in the classroom and the professor mocking First Nations governance.

“How do we challenge these teachers to think outside of their typical Eurocentric thinking, to acknowledge Indigenous students so people like me can feel proud to be there and teach the other students about First Nations culture? Without acknowledgement, I feel drained, ashamed,” said the student.

One student pointed out that Aboriginal people received much attention during the time of residential schooling. He said that same attention should be put on Aboriginal education today but with the community used to guide the process.

The work that Indigenous post-secondary institutions are carrying out should not be forgotten, said Atleo.

“(They) are playing a really important role and are very focused on responding to … the challenges that have been raised here today . . . and have an important role to play in the education of our peoples,” said Atleo.

Atleo said the two-hour virtual summit, which saw 450 people connect on-line, provided only a “snapshot” of the challenges facing First Nations students.

“It’s part of a broad conversation about this country asking itself about its relationship with Indigenous people,” he said.