Aboriginal Canadians�� university challenges are still steep

In 바카라사이트 1950s, it was possible to count 바카라사이트 number of students from an aboriginal background studying at Canadian universities on 바카라사이트 fingers of one hand.

Numbers have grown substantially since 바카라사이트n, with an estimated 25,000 aboriginal students now accessing higher education in 바카라사이트 country. But 바카라사이트 educational achievement of this group still lags well behind 바카라사이트 national average.

According to 바카라사이트 2006 census, 8 per cent of aboriginal Canadians have a degree, compared with 23 per cent of 바카라사이트 population as a whole.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada has identified improving aboriginal access and attainment as ��one of 바카라사이트 most compelling national issues��.

Paul Davidson, president of 바카라사이트 AUCC, explained 바카라사이트 scale of 바카라사이트 problem: ��The aboriginal population in Canada is growing at around three times 바카라사이트 national rate, but university access and attainment is about one-third of 바카라사이트 national rate,�� he said.

One problem for those working to improve opportunities is federal student aid.

The AUCC��s recent report, Value of a Degree for Aboriginal Canadians, cites an estimate by 바카라사이트 Assembly of First Nations that from 2001 to 2006, more than 10,000 aboriginal students were denied funding by 바카라사이트 federal government.

Although funding for higher education in Canada has not suffered cuts as severe as those seen in 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 US in recent years, 바카라사이트 federal government capped 바카라사이트 rise in financial assistance available to students during 바카라사이트 last funding crisis for Canadian higher education in 바카라사이트 mid-1990s. The cap has remained in place for 15 years.

��At precisely 바카라사이트 time when 바카라사이트 aboriginal student population is ballooning and at a time when, frankly, 바카라사이트 cost of education is increasing, 바카라사이트 programme has been capped. So, ironically, 바카라사이트re are fewer federally supported aboriginal students in Canadian universities today than 바카라사이트re were a decade ago,�� Mr Davidson said.

He acknowledged 바카라사이트 financial pressures that 바카라사이트 federal government faced, and estimated that an extra C$300 million (?192 million) would have been needed to have kept pace with 바카라사이트 growth in 바카라사이트 number of young aboriginal Canadians.

��Governments just aren��t allocating those kinds of resources at 바카라사이트 moment,�� he said.

However, he was adamant that 바카라사이트 time to act on 바카라사이트 issue was now.

��My great concern is that we will miss this opportunity,�� Mr Davidson said.

��It will have a profound effect right across 바카라사이트 country; it really does depend on everybody �C universities, 바카라사이트 aboriginal community and federal and provincial governments �C coming to 바카라사이트 table. It��s time for all Canadian stakeholders to step up and honour 바카라사이트 commitments that have been made��and say, ��we can all do better��.��

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com