EXTERNAL SCAN: POST-
SECONDARY ABORIGINAL
STUDENT CONTEXT
This section provides selected data relevant to NVIT as an Aboriginal public post-secondary institution.
1. Statistics Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Reports
a) Aboriginal Population Increase Rate Exceeds Overall Rate
British Columbia’s Aboriginal population increased from 139,655 people or 3.78% of BC’s population in 1996 to 170,280 in 2001or 4.4% of the province’s total population. This is an increase of 21.9% over the 5-year period compared to the province’s overall increase of only 4.86%.
b) On Reserve Increase Greater than Off Reserve
The Registered Indian on reserve projected population increase in BC between 1998 and 2008 is 30.4% (17,550) compared to off reserve of 4.5% (2,326). The on reserve annual growth rate of approximately 3% compares to the Canadian annual growth rate of approximately 1%.
c) Aboriginal Median Age Younger
The 1998 median age for all Canadians was 35.9 years. The 1998 median age for Registered Indians was 24.6 years with a 2008 projection of 26.6 years.
d) Aboriginal Unemployment Rate High
Statistics Canada also reports in their 2001 Census Aboriginal Profile that BC’s provincial Aboriginal unemployment rate was 22.5% (compare this to a Fall 2003 overall provincial unemployment of approximately 8.5%).
e) High % of Aboriginal Population with Less than High School Graduation
38% of the “Aboriginal Identity Population 25 years and over” reported their highest level of schooling was less than high school graduation.
2. BC Ministry of Education Report “How Are We Doing?” (2003)
a) Percentage of Aboriginal Students Increasing
The percentage of students in BC schools who identify themselves as Aboriginal has grown from 6.1% in 1996/1997 to 8.2% in 2002/2003.
b) High % of Aboriginal Students Do Not Complete Dogwood
57.5% of Aboriginal students entering Grade 8 in 1996 did not complete the Grade 12 Dogwood Diploma compared to 20.8% on non-Aboriginal students.
c) Low % Grade 12 English and Math
The percentage of Grade 12 Aboriginal students who wrote and passed the English 12 Provincial exam as 36.4% compared to 67.5% for non-Aboriginal students. For Math 12 the respective figures are 5.7% compared to 25.0%.
3. British Columbia College & Institute System
The ? BC College and Institute Aboriginal Former Student Outcomes: Special Report on Aboriginal Students from the 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001 BC College and Institute Student Outcomes Surveys” and the report for 1999 provide the following information:
a) % Aboriginal Increasing
In 2001 4.1% of all former college and institute students surveyed identified themselves as Aboriginal compared to 2.8% in 1995, 3.7% in 1997, and 4.1% in 1999.
b) Gap In High School Completion
In 2001 81% of former Aboriginal students reported having completed high school prior to enrolling in a college or institute program compared to 94% of former non-Aboriginal students.
c) Greater % of Aboriginal Students Need to Relocate
The 1999 report noted that 29% of Aboriginal former students relocated from their home community to study compared to 19% for non-Aboriginal former students.
d) Children
Aboriginal students were much more likely to be single parents (21% compared to 6% for non-Aboriginal former students).
e) Adult Basic Education
In 1999 32% of Aboriginal former students enrolled in ABE programs compared to 13% for non-Aboriginal former students.
f) Program Choice
There was little difference in non-ABE broad program choice between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal former students, e.g., from 1995 to 2001 30% of Aboriginal former students reported having taken Arts & Sciences compared to 32% for non-Aboriginal former students. However, 10% of Aboriginal former students reported having taken a legal or social work applied program compared to 5% for non-Aboriginal former students. Aboriginal former students are more likely to take four-year Arts and Science programs.
g) Reasons for Enrolling
Former Aboriginal and former non-Aboriginal students varied little in their reasons for enrolling. Both reported similar levels for job skills, credential, and credential and job skills.
h) Student Finances
In the 1999 report 25% of Aboriginal former students reported having to interrupt their studies for financial reasons compared to 15% of non-Aboriginal students.
i) Aboriginal Former Student Suggestions
In the 1999 report some Aboriginal students suggested more Aboriginal content (e.g., Elders input, accurate Aboriginal history, aspects of traditional beliefs and values) in curriculum would have improved their experience. They also suggested better and more day care facilities, increased tutoring and individual attention, better instructors, better administrative services, and more student services. In 2001 Aboriginal respondents frequently mentioned the need for smaller classes, more time with instructors and opportunities for practical experience.
j) Unemployment Higher
Aboriginal former students (19%) were more likely than non-Aboriginal former students (12%) to be unemployed.
k) Employment Earnings Similar
Aboriginal former students with full-time employment had median monthly earnings of $2500 compared to $2600 for non-Aboriginal former students.
l) Usefulness of Training Higher
81% of Aboriginal former students indicated their training was very or somewhat useful in performing their jobs compared to 76% of non-Aboriginal former students.
m) Further Education
Aboriginal former students were somewhat less likely (42%) than non-Aboriginal former students (48%) to go on to further education.