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People don't realize how many different cultures there are here.
There are six hundred and forty First Nations with many residing in
this region.
So we've opened that capacity for them to be feeling accepted here.
I think the support is very important. Especially if you are straight out of high school coming
to school, it's very helpful.
I felt like they've been my family away from my actual family.
Life can get really challenging and knowing that that support system is there for us,
it allows us to open up and share some of those issues that we have and they help us
to stay focused.
We know that over the years, aboriginal students would just disappear. They might not show
up to classes and all of a sudden they decide not to come back to college.
The comfort level that is achieved through Aboriginal Services kind of gives them that
chance to know that somebody is listening to them.
I look native and at the same time I don't know all of my native heritage, so it's rough.
I've learned not only about nursing and the whole career of nursing but about myself.
I kind of want to know more and meet people that could lead me to understand more of my
past, my heritage.
So being introduced to it, I found that it was a great balance for me, like I was able
to, I guess, have more meaning for my life.
And I think that's really important for everybody to do. To know about themselves, who they
are, and where they come from and it really helps you understand yourself!
(Good morning you're listening to Nish Vibes radio ...)
We focused very highly on aboriginal students but it wasn't our whole focus. I'd go out
and talk about Aboriginal Services and the beautifulness of the culture and that creates
an atmosphere of interest.
A lot of people get, they think that since it's Aboriginal Services, that it's just strictly
aboriginals and that's not true, it's for everybody.
In most cases, you can walk into our services and learn about the ceremonies that we do.
As soon as I step foot inside their doors, they've been welcoming, they are wonderful,
they're amazing people to talk to!
Made a lot of friends, know a lot of teachers now. Very encouraging too actually.
Hot meals, resources, that sort of thing. Absolutely, it's very beneficial!
Conestoga College, the staff that we have here definitely have a will and a want to
produce better results.
I watch my friends succeed and it makes me pretty happy actually.
I believe in higher education and that it is important for First Nations people to pursue.
And then bringing that back to the community, your ability to help the community becomes
a lot stronger.
Lunch, food, resources, availability of knowledge is definitely what we do here at Aboriginal Services.
We're paving the way and that comfort level has been achieved pretty high here.