Six Nations Polytechnic welcomes new funding for Indigenous education

SIX NATIONS - April 27, 2017 – Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is pleased to acknowledge Ontario for its commitment and support of Indigenous learners in the Ontario Budget 2017, A Stronger, Healthier Ontario. Within the context of broader government priorities including reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the development of a highly skilled workforce, the Province is investing about $200 million over three years to support key initiatives that will help more First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners access high-quality postsecondary education and training opportunities. This includes an investment of $56 million over three years to enhance the capacity and sustainability of nine publicly funded Aboriginal Institutes in Ontario.

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP), a member of the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium, provides culturally relevant postsecondary education (PSE) and training opportunities, in direct response to local labour market needs and community learning priorities. Programs are offered in partnership with colleges and universities in Ontario. SNP offers the only stand-alone Bachelor Arts degree in Ogwehoweh (Cayuga and Mohawk) Languages in Canada and is an accredited provider of Additional Qualification courses for teachers in Ontario.

Quotes:

“This investment in publicly funded Aboriginal Institutes sends a strong message that Ontario sees the potential for transformative change when working in partnership with Indigenous peoples. For the past twenty-four years, Six Nations Polytechnic has operated with annual proposal based funding. This historic multi-year investment brings much needed predictability to financial planning for Indigenous institutes of higher learning. SNP can now dedicate even more time and effort to closing the education gaps that currently exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. SNP graduates contribute significantly to the economic and social fabric of Ontario and beyond. With Ontario’s commitment to Indigenous education, SNP will have additional capacity to serve the needs of Indigenous learners, graduates and the broader community, for the benefit of all.”

– Rebecca Jamieson, President/CEO, Six Nations Polytechnic

Fast Facts

  • The 2006 Census showed that Aboriginal adults between 25 and 54 were more likely to have a trades certificate than a university degree. Métis were the most likely to do so, with 16% having a trades certificate, compared to 13% of both Inuit and First Nations people and 12% of non-Aboriginal people. The proportion of Métis and non-Aboriginal people with a college certificate was 22%, compared to 18% for First Nations people and Inuit. The largest difference was for those with university certificates at the bachelor's level and above. One-quarter of non-Aboriginal adults had a university degree, compared to 9% of Métis, 7% of First Nations people and 4% of Inuit.
  • In 2006, one-third (33%) of Aboriginal adults aged 25 to 54 had less than a high school education compared to nearly 13% of the non-Aboriginal population, a difference of 20 percentage points.
  • There are nine Aboriginal institutes in Ontario that receive funding support from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

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