The EnCana Aboriginal Centre provides a culturally appropriate environment that encourages and supports the success of Aboriginal students in their pursuit of higher education.
With 40 per cent of our workforce expected to retire over the next ten years, business and industry are looking for solutions to its skilled labour crisis. As Aboriginal communities are Canada’s fastest growing segment of population, NAIT is investing in solutions by developing one of the country’s greatest sources of human capital.
The NAIT EnCana Aboriginal Student Centre was part of a $4 million investment by EnCana in the Aboriginal Student Success Initiative completed in September 2005. The centre is located at the southwest end of the main campus offers many programs and services for Aboriginal students.
This program fosters an environment for student success by preparing faculty and staff to effectively support the needs of students. To ensure that the institute develops a concrete foundation, there are four focus areas; awareness workshops, cultural advisor support, the Aboriginal awareness week celebration and monthly centre activities.
These programs aim to enrich the lives of NAIT's Aboriginal community by helping manage transition, strengthen academic development, and foster success in the workforce. By incorporating current students, alumni and external role models, students are encouraged to develop vision and manage barriers to their success.
The alumni chapter was formed to support current students through shared experience and alumni pride. The Aboriginal Alumni serve as role models by hosting special events to promote networking, mentoring and recognizing the achievements and advancement of the Aboriginal Community.
This program improves the readiness of Aboriginal learners by creating linkages to the business community. It has been designed to successfully bridge graduates to employment opportunities in their home community or surrounding communities. NAIT has developed relationships with organizations that have interest in placing Aboriginal graduates.
The Northern Student Education Initiative (NSEI) has a student advisor on campus to help locate resources on campus and in the community for student from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
A student feels comfortable in the EnCana Aboriginal Student Centre because of the many services and supports it offers including: