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MoU Signatories – March 2005
March 11, 2005 marked a significant commitment by post-secondary education stakeholders in BC as they signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) on Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training. The MoU is designed to facilitate effective collective efforts by the signatory education stakeholders to improve levels of participation and success of Aboriginal learners in post-secondary education and training in BC. In signing the MoU, all partners state their intention to work collectively to build on successes and to implement strategies that will improve access and achieve success for all Aboriginal post-secondary learners in BC.
“We, the undersigned, acknowledge, that although there has been some progress in recent years, there is a need for improved levels of participation and success for Aboriginal learners in post-secondary education and training in British Columbia. We state our intention to work collectively toward this goal within the mandates of our respective organizations and to bring in other partners as appropriate. This will be accomplished by building on our successes to date, collectively identifying needs, and implementing strategies to improve the success of Aboriginal post-secondary learners in British Columbia.”
Key Priorities Identified
for the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Partners Group
For further information on the BC Aboriginal Post -Secondary Education
and Training Partners Group, please contact Karen
Bailey-Romanko at: karenbr@fnesc.ca
IAHLA Chair Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi signs MoU
Signatories to the MoU include the Ministry of Advanced Education, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, First Nations Summit, First Nations Education Steering Committee, Métis Nation of British Columbia, United Native Nations Society, University President’s
Council of BC, BC College Presidents, University-College Presidents, Indigenous
Adult and Higher Learning Association.
"This new Aboriginal forum is the first of its kind in Canada and is an important step toward making concrete, tangible progress to improve the success of Aboriginal learners," said Sue Barnes, Parliamentary Secretary, on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada . "Partnerships and vital initiatives such as these reflect the Government of Canada’s unwavering commitment to find new ways to better support life-long learning for Aboriginal peoples in Canada."
“Our agreement sets the stage for us to develop strategies that overcome the issues facing Aboriginal learners,” said Advanced Education Minister Ida Chong. “We will be working very hard to make our programming more relevant and to provide greater opportunities for Aboriginal learners.”
“Our young people are bright and able to stand with the best this country has to offer. Post-Secondary education, a university degree, college or trade certification opens a world of opportunities for those young people. We should expect nothing less for them,” says Grand Chief Edward John.
Increasing the participation of Aboriginal people in post-secondary education is a priority for BC’s universities, stated Dr. Michael Stevenson, Chair of The University Presidents’ Council of British Columbia, "We look forward to working with all MOU partners to identify ways in which we can work together to increase educational opportunities for Aboriginal learners in the province."
“The BC College Presidents (BCCP) is committed to supporting the educational goals of Aboriginal students and communities,” states Stephanie Forsyth, Chair, BCCP. “Many Aboriginal students are accessing education and training at over 50 different campuses throughout the province. This Agreement will enhance our efforts of ensuring that services and programs are supportive of, and accessible to, Aboriginal learners.”
“The reduction in post-secondary education gaps between Aboriginal learners and non-Aboriginal learners is going to require dedication and commitment to improving access and implementing strategies that will achieve success. This is a significant step forward in closing that gap,” said Chief Nathan Matthew of the North Thompson Indian Band.
The signatories to the MoU form the BC Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Partners group. This group continues to work together to address issues for immediate attention, such as improving access to post-secondary education for Aboriginal learners and streamlining the transition of Aboriginal students from secondary education to post-secondary institutions.
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MoU Signatories – March 2005 
IAHLA Chair Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi signs MoU