Media release
Date: March 04, 2011
$250,000 For Aboriginal Programs At UVic
Government of BC Media Release
VICTORIA - $250,000 in one-time funding means that programs and research aimed at helping Aboriginal students succeed in their post-secondary studies will continue at the University of Victoria.
Originally developed as a four-year national research project by the University of Victoria in partnership with the Government of Canada, the LE,NOṈET project was the first of its kind in Canada and offered participating Aboriginal students culturally relevant supportive programs, community experiences, peer mentoring and financial assistance. The impact on whether students continued with their post-secondary studies and their success at graduating were then measured.
QUOTES
Science and Universities Minister Ida Chong -
“Greater participation by Aboriginal students in advanced education enriches the lives of the students, their home communities, the campuses where they study and British Columbia generally,” said Science and Universities Minister Ida Chong. “By providing this funding, our government is helping valuable programs and research continue so we can learn more about how to support Aboriginal students in achieving success in their post-secondary studies.”
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Barry Penner -
“By investing in LE,NONET today and supporting Aboriginal students in their post-secondary studies, we are opening doors for the next generation,” said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Barry Penner. “Today’s Aboriginal students are tomorrow’s future leaders, and they will help drive our province to greater achievements in the years to come.”
University of Victoria president David Turpin -
“UVic’s LE,NONET project showed us how universities can better support Indigenous student success,” said University of Victoria president David Turpin. “This contribution from the BC government will enable us to continue implementing the lessons learned during the pilot and build an ongoing program.”
QUICK FACTS
- LE,NONET (pronounced le-non-git) is a SENCOTEN (Straits Salish) word meaning “success after enduring many hardships”.
- LE,NONET project includes:
o Research apprenticeships and community internships
o Student mentoring
o Student bursaries
o Training and support for faculty and staff
o Partnerships with Vancouver Island First Nations
and Aboriginal organizations
- Since 2000, the number of Aboriginal students attending the University of Victoria has increased from fewer than 70 students to about 700 this year.
LEARN MORE
Gordon Keast
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Science and Universities
250 952-0132
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
Backgrounders:
LE, NONET Project and Expansion Plans
UVic media releases and other resources for journalists are available on the World Wide Web at http://communications.uvic.ca/media
