Students attaining higher education. (Native Business/Special Report).

Lakehead University is one of several post-secondary institutions evolving to meet the needs of an increasing numbers of Aboriginal students seeking a higher education. Aboriginal student enrolment at Lakehead University is approximately 800, which would make it one of the largest Aboriginal population bases in a Canadian university, says says Nova Lawson, co-ordinator of Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead University.

The commitment to Aboriginal students is evident on campus where signs are also written in the Native language; this is all part of an effort to build a supportive environment for aboriginal students, she says.

"Lakehead has made a diligent effort to understand the needs of the Aboriginal student population, and I think over time that effort has resulted in a greater commitment to serving not only the academic needs, but the social and cultural needs of Aboriginal students," Lawson says. "One of the fundamentals is ensuring that aboriginal students are learning in a culturally supportive environment."

Over the years efforts by the university to build relationships with the Aboriginal community have helped to develop a trusting relationship, whereby Aboriginal communities are very comfortable recommending Lakehead to prospective students, she says.

Lawson says that because the Aboriginal youth population aged 15 to 24 is growing at four times the national rate, "the number of Aboriginal students who are pursuing higher levels of education are increasing, and they are increasing each year.

"The support network we have built here, I think is an indication of the type of environment where an Aboriginal student would feel a genuine sense of belonging, where there is a cultural reflection, Aboriginal faculty and staff," says Lawson.

"The number of graduates that are going through the system, and who are available to serve as role models and mentors, I think, are a testament to, what is possible," Lawson says. "That (possibility being that) higher education is definitely a viable option for Aboriginal students. They didn't think this before."

Lawson says Aboriginal students are entering a wide range of programs, with many specializing in areas such as forestry, business, engineering, nursing and social work.

"There is a movement towards encouraging Aboriginal students to excel in math and science-based programs" to address the needs of the home communities, she says:

Aboriginal people want and need more education in order to continue to move forward. One of the keys will be to better prepare the student at an early level in order to develop a "higher-calibre student," says Lawson.

Aboriginal students have also seen a rise in the number of post-secondary education choices in the last decade, she says.

One of biggest problems says Lawson is "ensuring that there is funding to cover the number of Aboriginal youth who want to pursue post-secondary education, I wish that was higher, it is not sufficient to meet demand."