Centre for Native Policy and Research

In this study the researchers investigate the educational circumstances of Aboriginal students in Winnipeg inner city high schools. The study is based on interviews with Aboriginal students, Aboriginal school leavers, adult members of the Aboriginal community, and teachers. Responses by Aboriginal people to the researchers questions about their experiences in schools reveal the existence of what the researchers have identified as a cultural/class/experiential divide between Aboriginal students and their families on the one hand, and the school system on the other. Aboriginal students experience the divide between themselves and the school system on a daily basis, and a good deal of what they experience in school is negative. Not surprisingly, many Aboriginal students resist and even reject this form of education. This is not the way in which this issue is generally understood. It is generally understood as a problem of Aboriginal students failing in school, of their having a 'dropout' rate double that of non-Aboriginal students. The evidence that the researchers have gathered suggests to us that Aboriginal people want the education that is needed to enable them to participate fully in Canadian society and in their own self-governance but they do not want to abandon what it is to be Aboriginal in order to do so.

This paper explores the four waves of colonization; which Thira proposes are legal, administrative, ideological, and the oppressive Western 'healing.' Thira discusses the negative impacts on Aboriginal people as a result of these waves of colonization" and ends with a section on "Breaking the tide: Aboriginal Healing"

Kelly MacDonald served as a member of the Vancouver Police Board (VPB) for two years before resigning. She was the first Aboriginal person appointed to the board. The duties and functions of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) are under the governance mandate of the VPB which provides civilian oversight of policing, sets policies and procedures, and determines the priorities, goals and objectives of the VPD. MacDonald participated on many of the VPB's committees, including acting as the Board Liaison to the Chief Constable's Diversity Advisory Committee, the Legal Committee and she contributed at both the provincial and national level. After resigning, MacDonald provided the Director of Police Services, Ministry of the Solicitor General, a memo outlining her reflections and recommendations on police board governance (January, 2005). She has yet to receive any form of response or acknowledgment of her contribution. This document is a summarized version of her recommendations.

For over ten years now, Aboriginal youth in Canada have been persistently demanding true representation, participation, and engagement at all levels. This paper explores the topic of Aboriginal youth participation and engagement, and provides an overview of some of the key recommendations provided by youth.