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Many paths forward: Strategies for improving post-secondary education outcomes of Indigenous learners in Canada
December 1, 2019
The struggle for Indigenous rights in Canada is an ongoing endeavour. Although more attention and awareness of the experiences and inequities of Indigenous peoples in Canada has grown in the past decade, Indigenous people experience less access to economic prosperity and a poorer quality of life compared to non-Indigenous Canadians, especially if they live on reserve (Vowel, 2016). Successful completion of post-secondary education (PSE) and training may unlock some opportunities for Indigenous people to preserve knowledge and advance leadership within their own communities as well as succeed within majority non-Indigenous communities (Hampton, 2000). Given the harmful history of the residential school system in Canada, many Indigenous people have an uneasy regard for formal (settler) education systems that rarely acknowledge or value the cultures, traditions and knowledges that are inherently part of their identity (Malatest et al., 2010; Restoule, 2011; Tomaszewski et al., 2011). There are many challenges at present and ahead to improve PSE outcomes for Indigenous learners in Canada. Likewise, there are many strategies already employed by post-secondary institutions (PSIs) and Indigenous communities. Successful collaborations around access and support programs for Indigenous learners must recognize local and regional needs, and must be grounded in a spirit of empowering, instead of assimilating, Indigenous peoples.
A note about terminology
Throughout this article, I will use the term Indigenous as referring to those who originate from the traditional peoples of the land we currently consider as Canada. This includes, but is not limited to: First Nations, Métis and Inuit, status and non-status Indians, and regardless of whether they live on or off reserve. I use Indigenous as a term meant to be encompassing of the many Indigenous Nations with whom we share the land. Although the terms Aboriginal and Indian are used in some Canadian laws and policies, my understanding is that Indigenous is currently regarded as more inclusive and appropriate, superseded when the use of the specific name of an Indigenous Nation or identity is available (Vowel, 2016, p. 9–10).
