January 22, 2010 - Aboriginal post-secondary students in Thunder Bay will benefit from a new student bursary, and enhanced programs and services. The Ontario government is investing $1,013,265 at Lakehead University and $653,434 at Confederation College to support Aboriginal learners.

The government has created a bursary program to help Aboriginal students with financial need to attend college, university or Aboriginal post-secondary institutions, and is also investing in a range of Aboriginal student support services at post-secondary institutions across the province. These efforts are aimed at ensuring more Aboriginal students pursue and succeed at post-secondary education.

QUOTES

“I’m delighted to see such a significant investment towards the success of Aboriginal students here in Northwestern Ontario. This investment will help young people in our communities get the skills and training they need to prepare for the high-skill jobs of the future.”  -  Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay—Superior North

"Lakehead University is dedicated to working with Aboriginal peoples in furthering their educational aspirations. This funding enables Lakehead to implement an Elders in Residence Program at the Orillia Campus while expanding its existing Elders in Residence Program in Thunder Bay. It also provides the monies needed to continue building our community outreach activities, partnership opportunities, and retention support programs." - Dr. Fred Gilbert, President, Lakehead University

“We are thrilled that Aboriginal students are being provided with increased support for academic success by this investment in post-secondary education. We know that this support will help our Aboriginal students to complete their studies whereby they will be able to realize their goals, dreams and aspirations and also contribute to their communities and to our region and Province.” - Pat Lang, President, Confederation College

“By helping Aboriginal students get the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, we can help them reach their full potential and we can build the highly skilled workforce we need to make our province more competitive and build prosperity for all Ontarians.” - John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation


QUICK FACTS

The government is investing a total of $26.4 million in Aboriginal post-secondary education in 2009-10.

About 11,000 Aboriginal students were enrolled in Ontario post-secondary institutions last year.

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