Indigenous groups and the Government of Canada are partnering to invest more than $230,000 to upgrade STEM educational facilities at Yellowhead Tribal College.
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FILE PHOTO OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA. GETTY IMAGES/CANVA PRO.
Indigenous groups and the Government of Canada are partnering to invest more than $230,000 to upgrade STEM educational facilities at Yellowhead Tribal College, an inclusive educational institution in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada run by Alexander First Nation, O’Chiese First Nation, Sunchild First Nation, and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.
The project is part of an effort to boost student enrollment, particularly among Indigenous students in STEM fields.
Officials announced the funding partnership last week, with the government investing $176,000, the Yellowhead Tribal College contributing more than $43,000, and the Chemical Institute of Canada putting forward $15,000 through its Chemical Education Foundation.
According to a 2020 report Tech Conference Board of Canada, Indigenous people make up 4 per cent of the country’s adult population, but less than 2 per cent of Canada’s total STEM workforce.
The report outlines numerous systemic barriers preventing Indigenous students from pursuing STEM careers, including a lack of role models and limited resources in schools in remote communities.
“These barriers are often related to social inequality and inadequate resources, as well as racism and cultural conflicts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies,” the paper reads.
Yellowhead Tribal College was established in 1986 by Yellowhead Tribal Council to support its member nations. More than 2,000 students have graduated from the school since 1986.
