Going back to school is one of the toughest decisions any Indigenous person can make. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that it is frustrating; it’s hard and it’s scary. It’s actually really scary. When I went back to school, I was scared.
If you’re thinking about taking that step, you don’t have to do it alone. There are programs specifically designed to help Indigenous students navigate the transition to post-secondary education and build confidence before entering a degree or diploma program.
One of those initiatives is the Indigenous Student Access Program at the University of Calgary. The program serves as a bridge into post-secondary studies, helping First Nations students prepare for academic success. Similar Indigenous access and transition programs are also offered through Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary.
So, what is an Aboriginal Bridging Program? According to MRU’s Indigenous University Bridging Program webpage, these programs combine cultural courses with academic upgrading or first-year university-level courses. These programs are further supported through tutoring and advising services offered by the Iniskim Centre, MRU’s Indigenous centre. At MRU, this translates to a welcoming space for Indigenous students to thrive, both culturally and academically; however, what does that look like at other schools?
According to Alysha Akins, an Indigenous student coordinator at the University of Calgary, they offer various ways for Indigenous applicants to find their programs. Their Indigenous Admission Process (IAP) allows for consideration of applicants who may fall below their program’s competitive average but still meet the program requirements. “For some students in a faculty program, that can be up to a full 10% difference,” said Akins. Aside from that, they have a supplementary process for those who may not have met their program requirements. Applicants must submit a statement and documents confirming their Indigenous identity, which will be reviewed by that faculty for consideration, in which the student would be enrolled in foundational learning courses. Foundational learning courses are designed to prepare you for further education.
Depending on your statement and supporting documents, Indigenous applicants may be enrolled directly into that faculty’s program or be placed in the faculty-specific bridging program, where they would take undergraduate foundational courses, according to Akins.
“The best example is if I wanted to be a Bachelor of Arts in History student, and I was either shy of the 10% or perhaps if I was even missing a course, the faculty would admit and get the student enrolled in undergraduate foundation courses,” said Akins.
Akins encourages students to apply even if they are just shy of the competitive averages for any program, as they may still make it based on their statements.
To prospective students of all ages, please reach out to universities and colleges if you’re considering returning to school. Even if you’re an adult managing family, children and work life.
In 2018, I attended an information session hosted by Tori McMillan, administrator and later director of MRU’s Iniskim Centre, who spoke about the supports available to Indigenous students, including housing assistance. What stood out to me was his observation that some of the hardest-working students he had encountered were Indigenous mothers balancing their education with family and work responsibilities.
The same commitment to student success can be found at other institutions. Last month, our media team met with staff at SAIT’s Natoysopoyiis, formerly Chinook Lodge, where they described the centre as a “home away from home” for Indigenous students. In addition to cultural and academic support, they highlighted financial assistance for those wishing to live on campus. Eligible students can apply for SAIT’s Indigenous Housing Bursary, which provides up to $1,400 per semester toward residence fees.
When I started attending classes in 2018, I neglected to take advantage of these programs and spaces. A lot of pain, specifically, financial pain, could have been avoided if I had simply asked.
So, I now ask you, find your confidence, take charge of what you want in life, and go out and ask the questions you might be scared to ask.
Look into which schools have Indigenous spaces and additionally try to find that support. Why do I believe this is important? We are in the future! We don’t have to stay dreaming forever; we can just do it, and others are actively pushing us to do it!
