By Bre McAdam

Make room for young aboriginal workers: Indspire CEO

Jun 12, 2012 | 5:28 PM

The CEO of a Canadian charity was in Saskatoon today, highlighting the need to provide more confidence and support for Aboriginal youth entering post-secondary institutions and the work force.

Roberta Jamieson, the first Aboriginal woman to earn a law degree in Canada and now president and CEO of Indspire, spoke at a Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority event.

Indspire helps aboriginal youth with post-secondary schooling and employment. Jamieson said there's a dangerous misconception that it is easy for them to go to university or college.

“That's not true. Some funding is available for some students to go to some level of training, but much more is needed to be put at the service of these students.”

During today's speech, Jamieson pointed out there are 400,000 aboriginal youth under the age of 16.

SIGA

SIGA and Northern Lights Casino main sponsors of the 31st PAGC Fine Arts Festival

2h ago

Workplace incident

City of Prince Albert pleads guilty to workplace safety violation, handed fines

4h ago

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

Apr 24, 2024

They are the fastest growing labour market in Canada, yet only four per cent will get into a post-secondary program.

“What the students tell us when we talk to them about what are the factors that have made them succeed, they say family, community support, a healthy sense of their own identity,” Jamieson said.

“Students tell us that the role models they've been exposed to as young people have been very important to their decision to stay in school.”

Bradley Hendry, a Grade 11 student at Oskayak High School, came to hear Jamieson speak. He plans to graduate from high school and take the training he needs to become a clothing designer.

“I really do have a lot of support. My mom, she's a social worker and my grandma, she's really supportive of me,” said Hendry, adding his classmates and friends help keep his confidence high.

Indspire has supported 1,354 aboriginal students in Saskatchewan, including 133 doctors, 220 nurses, 87 lawyers and 115 business graduates.

However, Jamieson said they were only able to help 20 per cent of those who requested Indspire's help.

news@panow.com