NAHO 2009 National Conference Dr. Kim Critchley –Principle Investigator Julie Bull –Project Manager

1. Aboriginal Education at
UPEI: Transitioning Toward
a Positive Future in Health
Dr. Kim Critchley –Principle Investigator
Julie Bull – Project Manager
NAHO Conference Our People Our Health November 2009

2. Cultural Proficiency
“Equity will be a reality when children from minority
racial, cultural, socio-economic, and linguistic
backgrounds experience statistically similar
rates of meeting high standards as do children
from the majority culture.”
-Bay Area Educational Equity Task Force

3. Aboriginal Education
Project Objectives
• Increase the number of “Academic Ready”
Aboriginal students into the UPEI Nursing
Program and other health related programs;
• Increase the number of Aboriginal admissions to
the UPEI Nursing Program and other health
related programs;
• Reduce the Barriers to Admission; and
• To make UPEI a post secondary institution that
is supportive of Aboriginal students.

4. Aboriginal Education
• Background
• The story of Ashley and Stephanie Jadis
• Outcome: Aboriginal Education Support
Program
Funded by the Aboriginal Health Human
Resources Initiative
"The essence of our effort to see that every child
has a chance must be to assure each an equal
opportunity, not to become equal, but to become
different-to realize whatever unique potential of

5. Aboriginal Education
The UPEI School of Nursing allocates two seats
per year to Aboriginal students who have been
identified in their high schools as having the
potential interest to becoming nurses.
This project will support the successful recruitment
of Aboriginal students into the UPEI Nursing
Program along with the supports to encourage
successful completion.

6. Aboriginal Education
What’s happening at UPEI?
• Research
• Aboriginal Health
• Aboriginal Education
• Aboriginal Research Ethics
• Degree Programs
• Bachelor of Education, Indigenous Specialization
• Master’s of Education, Nunavut

7. Grand Opening of Maoi Omi:
Aboriginal Student Centre at UPEI
January 20, 2009

8. Diversity Week at UPEI
January 19-23, 2009

9. Media

10. Scott Ward Comes to UPEI
February 4, 2009

11. Scott Ward at Native Council of PEI
February 4, 2009

12. We left our mark too!

13. International Development Week
Student Symposium
February 5, 2009

14. International Development Week
Luncheon
February 6, 2009

15. Mural Painting
March 21, 2009

17. 2nd Annual Cultural Connections
March 27, 2009

18. Appreciation Day
May 25, 2009

19. In the community

20. Aboriginal Career Fair
May 27, 2009

21. Scholarship Announcement
September 22, 2009

22. Formal support systems

23. Student
Successes
• Aboriginal students at UPEI are making their
marks in many different programs:
• Arts
• Science
• Education
• History
• Masters of Education
• Masters of Island Studies
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Veterinary Medicine

24. From a
Student Perspective
“Its nice to have people who are there who want to see
us succeed” – Jessica Gould, 1st year nursing
“In my first year, university was very scary but thankfully I
had the Aboriginal Resource Centre to support and
guide me through. Now, I will go back in next year with
confidence by just knowing that someone is there to help
me when I need it the most ” – Michelle Jadis, 2nd year
Arts student
“The Mawio'mi student center here at UPEI is a relief to see
in the campus now, it is a place that makes the
aboriginal student population feel more secure, and it
can also be an avenue for the non-aboriginal people to
come to learn and understand about the culture. I wish it
had of been here when I first started university.” –
th

25. What others
are saying…
“The Maoi Omi Aboriginal Student Resource Centre is a
great addition to the campus of UPEI. Here Aboriginal
students can find academic, as well as, personal
supports and services to help them succeed” – Allan
Gillis, Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Education
Advisor
• “I had a wonderful visit and felt welcomed and for the
first time wasn't so afraid of the whole University
Campus world. I am a First Nation Woman and have
avoided and even feared the whole University setting.
One visit and I am no longer afraid of this world, and
would attend UPEI proudly.” – Patricia Bourque,
member of Abegweit First Nation

26. Conclusion
“Having an area inside a growing university such
as UPEI will only encourage more and more
Aboriginal people to choose a post secondary
education. When they do that, our citizens, our
communities and our province is better for it.”
-Chief Brian Francis, Abegweit First Nation
at the grand opening of Maoi Omi
Aboriginal Student Centre at UPEI
January 20, 2009