2003-2004 Annual Report

History and Purpose of the GRPSEO

A Memorandum OF Understanding (1992), between the Six Nations Council and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provides for the local administration of the Post Secondary Student Support Program.   

The Post Secondary Board is mandated to direct the operation of the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office (GRPSEO). Post Secondary Board policy begins with the understanding that the moral ownership of the Grand River Post Secondary Education Organization are Onkwehon:we with Grand River Territory lineage.

Board Policy is based on the belief and vision that acquiring knowledge, skills, capabilities, and confidence empower individuals to be self-sufficient and contribute to their communities and society at large. Post Secondary education provides a path to do this.

The Grand River Post Secondary Education Organization therefore exists to empower Onkwehon:we through higher education, within available resources.

In achieving this purpose, the Grand River Post Secondary Education Organization places a high value on organizational integrity and efficiency. 

• The GRPSEO strives to operate in an accountable and consistent manner.
• The GRPSEO consults the moral ownership of the organization, on a regular basis, to ensure that the organization is on the right track when it comes to community expectations about results and the values that guide the organization.
• The GRPSEO then reports issues and outcomes on a regular basis. 

As part of its reporting system, the GRPSEO publishes the annual audit for the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office (GRPSEO) completed through KPMG Chartered Accountants, the auditing firm for the Six Nations Council. The GRPSEO further provides an annual enrolment report to INAC as per the 1992 MOU mentioned above. 

This report is issued to the Six Nations Confederacy Council and the Six Nations Elected Council at least once per year as well as to other key stakeholder organizations. Individuals may also request a copy of this report by contacting the Post Secondary Office or view the report on our web site at www.grpseo.org. 

The GRPSEO continues to function within the realities of limited resources and increasing demands.  In this report you will therefore find:

• Highlights of outcomes and accomplishments as they relate to the GRPSEO mandate, 
• Summaries of issues and trends impacting our post secondary students.

An Annual report is not only a report on what has taken place but is also a valuable planning tool.

As always, your comments and input are welcomed. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to comment on this report, have questions or wish to make a contribution toward post secondary education for Six Nations students.

Outcomes and Accomplishments

The Grand River Post Secondary Board oversees the operation of the GRPSEO. 

The Board’s main role is to link with Onkwehon:we with Grand River Territory lineage so that the board can determine and demand appropriate organizational performance and also to ensure public accountability of the organization. The Board and staff take this unique trust obligation seriously.

Organizational expectations are clearly stated in Board policy. These include limitations placed on operations through Board policy.

The Board continually reviews Board policy to see if it is in line with the expectations of Onkwehon:we with Grand River lineage and monitors the operations for compliance with this policy.

The GRPSEO measures outcomes in student accomplishments leading to graduation.  Organizational resources are expended in support of this outcome and the steps toward this end. 

The GRPSEO provides encouragement and support to Onkwehon:we students throughout their post secondary education experience. Student responsibilities are defined at the beginning of the GRPSEO – student relationship in order to ensure student responsibility fo  decisions and accomplishments.

Eligible students requesting funding have access to funding within available resources.

Available resources for supporting post secondary education includes resources from the Federal Government, scholarships, bursaries and donations that meet the ethical standards and values established by the Board. The source of donations must be known and verified as legitimate. In accounting for available resources, the GRPSEO strategically identifies growing needs and increased costs of post secondary education programs. The GRPSEO then advocates to increase awareness about growing needs and limited resources available for Onkwehon:we post secondary education.

Accurate and timely information is available to students, families, and the community regarding educational trends, opportunities and available resources to support post secondary education. Students, families, and the community are informed that available funding may not be sufficient to meet the full requirement.

In support of community development, the GRPSEO  encourages student enrolment in a diversity of programs. More specifically, the GRPSEO encourages education in strategic directions (areas) which address the identified needs of Onkwehon:we communities and th  community at large. 

Post Secondary Graduation

Six Nations post secondary students continue with high rates of success!  The chart entitled, “Multi-Year Student Status Comparison” shows the outcomes for Six Nations students who received funding through the Post Secondary Office over the past five years. Note especially the high number of graduates and students who complete their year successfully

The GRPSEO is pleased to facilitate on-going recognition of Six Nations post secondary student accomplishments.

• Recognition of student accomplishments is an on-going part of our interaction with students.
• Student accomplishments are also highlighted in public ways as much as possible.
• Special recognition is given to graduates at the Annual Student Recognition. 

The 12th Annual Student Recognition was held August 19, 2004 with a record number of scholarships issued to students. This year, four new categories of awards were given as a result of private contributions. 

Student Recognition is an on-going student support strategy, for example the GRPSEO continues to:

• publish grad photos in local papers during Community Awareness Week in May.  
• attend events on campus whenever possible in support of our students e.g. orientations, convocations, awards nights. 
• maintain a history of student accomplishments (pictures and video tapes) at the office.   
• include messages of encouragement or congratulations from Six Nations agencies, business and families in the newsletter to students published three times per year.  
• feature a good news story about a student or grad in each Board newsletter that is distributed in the community.
• Publish a Six Nations Grads poster series to inspire younger students. This series is issued to elementary schools at Six Nations. 

New this year, is the commemorative CD Rom of the Student recognition event. This is available as a memento for Grads and resource tool with younger students.

In recognition of our graduates’ accomplishments, the GRPSEO has included in this report a complete list of graduates since 1992. As you check for your graduate, please note the increasing diversity of programs.

Within available resources, the GRPSEO contributes to positive learning environments for Six Nations post secondary students. 

• The Board and staff support good access, equal opportunity, respect, and support systems.
• Board members continue to be involved in Aboriginal Education Councils at various post secondary institutes where a high number of our students are enrolled. These Councils advise college and university presidents regarding programming, student support needs, and also help to sensitize college and university staff regarding Onkwehon:we culture, language and history. The GRPSEO is active in Councils at Mohawk College, Niagara College, Fanshawe College, Lambton College and the following universities: Western and Brock.
• Board and staff members also attend selected education forums to keep up to date on student support strategies and opportunities.

The following audited financial statement provides an overall Statement of Operations.

Resources

Resources are linked with student success

• Available resources are allocated using a priority system with all eligible student applications. The priority system is designed to provide fair and equitable access to limited funds as students pursue their goal of graduation. 

Successful continuing students are rewarded with top priority for on-going funding.  If a student fails a course then students are expected to pay back the tuition funds, so once again, success is rewarded. Overpayments assigned for 2003/2004 totaled $522,341.35. Of this amount, $442,836.85 or (84.78%) was cleared.

Note the continued decrease in students with dependents. This is a function of limited rates of assistance through the GRPSEO and students taking longer to graduate from high employable rate programs.

Once a student is approved for funding, very rarely do they allow this opportunity to be lost. “Suspended” applications in the above chart, indicates the declining number of students unable to complete their year once it has started. Cancelled refers to student who apply and then change their mind and includes student who are not admitted to their programs of choice. “Unfunded” is self-explanatory.  Note: 2004/2005 data is as of Sept 1, 2004 so does not reflect a full intake cycle.

The stabilizing trend to part time enrolment is related to flexible schedule programs available through Six Nations Polytechnic in partnership with Brock University; the cost of attending full time and the need to continue to upgrade education levels for employment.

The allocation of funds to students with membership under Bill C31 (1985) is consistent with overall membership statistics for each reported year.

The allocation of funds to students by residence is reflective of the residence rates for overall membership.

Six Nations Specific Scholarships & Awards resulting from donations, fundraising and private sponsors

• GRPSEO increases available resources by targeting scholarships and bursaries through creative fund-raising strategies. 
• Norm’s Golf for Grads was the most successful tournament to date raising almost $9,000. A special thanks to the Jacobs family for their support in this event.  As a result of GRPSEO direct fund raising, three scholarships of $2,000 were issued to students at the annual Student Recognition event, August 19, 2004.  
• Student success, documented financial need and operational accountability continue to attract new award donors.
• The SEED (Science Education and Employment Development - Imperial Oil) initiative with Six Nations provided several significant scholarships this year.  These are in addition to other initiatives supported through the SEED partnership. See a more detailed report about SEEDinitiatives in this annual report.

More Six Nations students are being awarded Scholarships & Awards from other sources

• Six Nations students continue to receive recognition for their accomplishments from sources other than Six Nations. Here is a sample of the type of student recognition that Six Nations students are receiving:

Six Nations Specific Awards - Issued at the Student Recognition 
August 19, 2004 
* indicates new awards for 2004

Incentives

Incentives are issued if there are funds left at the end of the previous fiscal year (due to student withdrawal). 

• Due to increasing costs, incentives were not issued during the 2003/2004 academic year nor will incentives be issued for the 2004/2005 academic year.  The amount shown for incentives in the financial statement is in fact scholarships.

Student Support Funding

For the third year, study support funding was issued through the GRPSEO. The funding comes through the Six Nations Social Services and is funded from the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Program. This program is designed to reduce child poverty. The funding was therefore issued to resident post secondary students with dependent children. The amount received depended on the number and age of dependants. The students used the funding to obtain child care services to assist in preparation for final exams and assignments. We are awaiting confirmation on similar support funding for the 2004/2005 academic year

Advocating for Increased Funding

The GRPSEO continues to advocate for increased funding through the submission of briefings to the Six Nations Council, and the Department of Indian Affairs. 

As a result of joint advocacy between the GRPSEO and the Six Nations Council, the GRPSEO conducted two research projects for the second year funded by INAC. The purpose of the first research project was to document the financial need of students while at the same time providing some funding to students who successfully self-funded for the 2002 to 2003 academic year. For the second project, a limited number of students participated in case study research for the 2003 to 2004 academic year. Both projects gathered data to document the need of students to take out loans to pay education costs not covered by funding through the GRPSEO.

The research provides additional support to the case for increased funding for our eligible post secondary students. From the submission, it was clear that many students take out loans to help cover the costs of their education. 

Proposals to continue this research have been submitted for the 2004/2005 year.

Meaningful Information

The GRPSEO makes every effort to provide accurate and timely information to students, families and the community regarding future employment trends, education opportunities and the resources available to support post secondary education. For example,

• Information about how to apply is published regularly.
• The Board issues a newsletter to the community that features a student’s story. This newsletter also includes on-going information about the alarming funding shortage for post secondary students as well as trends that indicate future opportunities for graduates. 
• Current post secondary institution and program information is maintained at the office. This includes information from across Canada and the USA as our students attend many different institutions. A variety of other resource material is also available to students e.g. college and university applications, OSAP applications, and LSAT sample tests.
• Counselling is provided to active post secondary students. Counselling takes place through student visits to the office, telephone contacts and on campus where possible. This year, a direct staff e-mail system was implemented. This method of student contact is quickly exceeding any other form of contact particularly for students who attend school any distance away from Six Nations. Given the increasing number of applications received each year, the diversity of institutions attended by students, and GRPSEO involvement with strategic community development issues, the student case load continues to be shared among four education counsellors.  See the following exhibits: Grpseo Incoming Contacts – Yearly  Comparisons; Grpseo Staff Response – Yearly Comparisons; Student Program Selections; Grpseo Student Enrolment by Location; and the caseload for each Education Counsellor in the staff directory. 

• Students continue to access fax, photocopy, computer, and Internet equipment at the GRPSEO.  The Internet station is an essential tool for students researching institutions, programs, scholarships, and bursaries.  Students are increasingly required to apply for admission on-line so the demand for these services continues to grow. 

• In support of informed student choice, the GRPSEO continues to publish its newsletter, The Talking Tree, three times per year. A Student Guide to Post Secondary Education Assistance is also available to all students. 
• Students access education assistance application forms and up to date policy information twenty-four hours per day via our web site at www.grpseo.org.  A special thanks to Virginia Martin for keeping the website up to date. 
• The GRPSEO hosted an Annual Post Secondary Information day on November 12, 2003 in the Student Centre, Six Nations Polytechnic. Reps from many college and universities were on hand to answer student and parents questions about program and services. Over 300 people attended. On November 10, 2004 the Information Day will be held once again in the Student Centre at Six Nations Polytechnic.
• Each spring the GRPSEO hosts OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) information sessions. Our continued thanks to Mohawk College for assisting in this information service.
• To keep informed about programs, admission standards, professional standards, etc., GRPSEO Education Counsellors attend the various forums throughout the year such as Dialogue (Ontario universities’ & colleges’ information forums) as well as Red Carpet Day (the annual college information forum).
• As part of the “Smart Student Strategy - responsible decisions by informed students”, the GRPSEO now requires a detailed education plan from all first time student applicants. This requires students to do research before making program selections and gives a basis for future student – counsellor dialogue. The GRPSEO continues to provide access to relevant information for students and stresses with students that it is their responsibility to be informed and to think through the implications of their options before making a decision.  Given our limited resources, our education counsellors are limited to two information sessions with secondary students and one with elementary students. 
• GRPSEO continues to provide letters of recommendation/support for students applying for admission to professional programs or for scholarships and bursaries. As part of the GRPSEO’s 2020 Vision for Health Professionals, the GRPSEO assisted with admission proceedings with McMaster Medical School. 
• Considerable efforts/resources were spent issuing individual mailings of scholarship applications to students in at least ten categories. As a result, no scholarship facilitated through the GRPSEO went without an applicant.Scholarships & bursaries are compiled on an on-going basis.  Current information is available to students in the student work area as well as on disk. Net “Hot Spots” are also bookmarked for student convenience.  The GRPSEO Scholarship CD Rom continues to be available to students and is accessible through www.grpseo.org.
•  Board and staff identify local, regional, national and international trends as well as policies that have the potential to impact our students.  

Community Development

In support of community development, the GRPSEO encourages student enrolment in a diversity of programs (see charts for Student Program Selections). 

More specifically, the GRPSEO encourages education in strategic directions (areas) which address the identified needs of Onkwehon:we communities and the community at large. 

The GRPSEO continues with a record number of unfunded applications.  Given the opportunity cost of continued full time study, creative strategies must be developed to continue to support the graduation of our professionals from graduate and doctoral levels of study.  

In “Number of Students In Each Level” please note the new count method initiated in 2003 clearly tracks a steep decline in number of students funded from the previous year (40 fewer students funded).

The Need for Health Professionals

The GRPSEO works with other community agencies to identify means to address the human resource needs for Community Development.  Addressing the human resource requirements to deliver community health services aimed at improving our health status in general is a high priority at Six Nations.

For the past four years, the GRPSEO has participated in the Six Nations Health Sciences Focus Group, made up of five organizations at Six Nations of the Grand River:  Grand River Employment & Training (GREAT), Grand River Post Secondary Education Office (GRPSEO), Six Nations Health Services, Six Nations Polytechnic and the Six Nations Council.

In this past year, the Focus Group continued to seek partnerships to increase enrolment in health programs such as nursing and medicine. The GRPSEO has dedicated significant time to this strategy taking a leadership role in the Six Nations Health Science Focus group, supervising research projects, as well as direct  involvement in meetings to gain support with potential partners. 

These efforts are showing results:

• In November 2004, the first cohort for the Registered Practical Nursing with Aboriginal Communities program begins. Approximately half the enrolment will be Aboriginal students.  This program is jointly offered by Mohawk College, the Institute for Applied Health Sciences McMaster and Six Nations Polytechnic. Strategic Studies Awards for Six Nations Students in the Registered Practical Nursing Program (Mohawk/Six Nations Polytechnic) will provide added support to successful students. These awards will be issued from GRPSEO funds following the first successful semester of the RPN program (Mohawk/SNP). Each award is valued at $250 per successful academic semester to a maximum of $1000 for the four semester program. Six Nations has 14 students registered in this program.
  
• Improved access to a range of programs at the college level including other health profession programs. Mohawk College took a leadership position with its facilitated admission process. Twenty-four students applied to the process for admission to 17 different programs. Currently, there are 18 students in 9 different programs who participated in the Facilitated Admission process.  
  
• September 27 & 28, 2004 the 2020 Vision Symposium, Confirming a Strategy for Graduating More Aboriginal Physicians in Ontario  was co-hosted by Chief Roberta Jamieson and Roy Romanow at Six Nations Polytechnic. The GRPSEO administered Symposium funds received from partners: GREAT, McMaster, National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO); INAC, Health Services and Health Canada –representatives of funding partners also participated in this key event. 
  
• As a critical preparation step for the strategy, the GRPSEO obtained funding from INAC for research subsequently completed through Six Nations Polytechnic and supervised by the GRPSEO. Reports from the two projects: Evidence based research (barriers/success factors for students in health sciences); and Research to support Cohort methodology in Aboriginal post secondary strategic initiatives (education/law/medicine) will be available through the GRPSEO. 

• As we work to develop and implement a long term strategy, we continue to support and encourage our students enrolled in Health Sciences as they will most definitely have an impact on health services in the future.
  Most encouraging – last year, two Six Nations students graduated from medical school and are now in the process of completing their residency and further required training to obtain their licenses to practice. Two more are enrolled in medical school, and several more are planning to apply in the next year or two.
  In 2004, Six Nations was pleased to recognize graduates in the following health science fields: Food & Nutrition Management, Massage Therapy, Nursing, Paramedic, Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Management. 
  

The Need for Technology & Business Grads  

As Six Nations continues with more management responsibility for community infrastructure and operations, the need for technology and business graduates continues to rise, especially as these are two areas in which student enrolment is currently low. Factor in th  projected retirements of current professionals in these fields and the need is clearly evident.  

Once again, the GRPSEO works with strategic partners to address these community development needs. For the past two years, the GRPSEO has participated with the Imperial Oil – Six Nations Education and Training Steering Committee as per the Imperia  Oil-Six Nations agreement. This committee identifies and supports strategies to prepare students to work in technology and related areas. Strategies are being supported from the elementary to post secondary levels with funding from Imperial Oil.  Please take time to review the SEED progress report included in this annual report.

Six Nations post secondary students contribute significantly to broader society

• It is very important to acknowledge that with every student attending post secondary, Six Nations makes a contribution to the financial well being of post secondary institutions and their employees.  The following list indicates the top ten institutions receiving tuition revenue from Six Nations students.

• Six Nations post secondary students make significant economic investments to the economies of the cities and provinces where they attend. Please see the maps showing enrolment and economic contribution by student location.   A chart showing economic contribution by study codes is also included.

GRPSEO STUDENT ENROLMENT BY LOCATION

Canadian Provinces 2003-2004 Alberta 18 British Columbia 15 Manitoba 3 New Brunswick 3 Newfoundland 2 Nova Scotia 7 Ontario 659 Prince Edward Island 1 Quebec 11 Saskatchewan 2

United States	2003-2004
Arizona	1
California	6
Connecticut	1
District of Columbia	1
Florida	2
Georgia	1
Indiana	1
Massachusetts	2
Michigan	3
New Hampshire	1
New Jersey	1
New Mexico	1
New York	38
North Carolina	1
Ohio	1
Pennsylvania	2
Rhode Island	1
South Carolina	1
Vermont	2
Virginia	2
Washington	1

Canadian Provinces	2003-2004
Alberta	$120, 845.81
British Columbia	$105,476.52
Manitoba	$13,584.75
New Brunswick	$35,046.75
Newfoundland	$22,475.00
Nova Scotia	$71,010.78
Ontario	$4,521,757.40
Prince Edward Island	$13,236.00
Quebec	$91,062.04
Saskatchewan	$22,502.96

United States	2003-2004
Arizona	$4,847.06
California	$45,027.43
Conneticut	$13,500.00
District of Columbia	$11,496.08
Florida	$21,476.56
Georgia	$8,809.04
Indiana	$1,100.00
Massachusetts	$20,888.50
Michigan	$25,683.67
New Hampshire	$13,300.00
New Jersey	$13,793.04
New Mexico	$10,705.46
New York	$351,652.53
North Carolina	$10,922.87
Ohio	$8,870.56
Pennsylvania	$11,921.57
Rhode Island	$12,609.36
South Carolina	$11,854.23
Vermont	$23,023.60
Virginia	$20,603.36
Washington	$9,958.80
International	2003-2004
Australia	$10,400.00

• Each student also contributes individually to cross-cultural understanding and their chosen profession given their personal knowledge, skills and understanding of the world. Although these contributions are difficult to “quantify” they must not be overlooked.  
• Even before graduation, our students are called on to “educate” others about Aboriginal history, rights and issues as well as correct stereo-types that are all too prevalent. Upon graduation, most graduates become de facto diplomats for their people at some time in their life.    
• With time, the impacts of significant numbers of Aboriginal people in a given field produce positive measurable impacts.  For example, the teaching and law professions have been significantly changed given the participation of Aboriginal professionals. We look forward to the changes that more Aboriginal health professionals will bring to our health services and our health status overall.

Clearly, Six Nations is working toward the collective belief and vision that acquiring knowledge, skills, capabilities, and confidence empower individuals to be self-sufficient and contribute to their communities and society at large.

Significant Trends Affecting Post Secondary Education
For Six Nations Students

The GRPSEO is guided by our collective responsibilities to make decisions that will not harm our future generations nor diminish their opportunities to thrive.   

This means that personal responsibility and accountability is expected of all who participate in the GRPSEO (board, staff and students).  

In terms of post secondary governance and management, it is our responsibility to make prudent and ethical decisions, in an  accountable way, and to implement appropriate plans to address trends and factors that will affect future post secondary students.    

The following outlines several key trends impacting post secondary education for Six Nations students and the undertakings of the GRPSEO designed to reduce negative impacts and to optimize opportunities.   

Increased Demand + Limited Resources = Reduced Purchasing Power and  Unfunded Students

Six Nations of the Grand River is the largest populated First Nation in Canada and has administered the post secondary education program locally since mid-1992.   

Six Nations consistently has a greater demand for post secondary assistance[1] than there are funds available.   This increasing demand is the result of two trends: (1) increased tuition/program costs and (2) increasing numbers of eligible applicants for education assistance.  

Increased Costs:   

• Tuition will continue to increase with deregulation of tuition (especially in Ontario). Legislation has changed to allow for more private institutions and while these institutions often offer program flexibility and choice these also come with an increased price tag (sometimes twice the public institution rate).   
• The overall cost of ‘living’ while going to school increases. The student allowance of $800 no longer covers the cost of residence and a meal plan at several post secondary institutions in Ontario.      
• Mandatory program fees for equipment and supplies at the college level of study, has increased dramatically in Ontario. For example, some students are required to lease a computer before they can register. The cost of the lease (up to $1,500 per year) is in addition to tuition costs. The GRPSEO is also taking steps to address some of the mandatory program fees at the college level but once again available funding is soon out-stripped by the demand.   

Increased number of eligible applicants:

In “GRPSEO Application Intake”, please note the increasing number of applications each year. The number shown for 2003/2004 does not reflect a full year – but is the number received as of  September 30, 2004.    The number of applicants is related to (1) our growing population[1]; and (2) to changing labour market requirements for employability.    

• Many of our students must complete a college program (minimum 2 years) plus a university program (three to four years) to get the credentials to work in their chosen field. With standards for employability continuing to upgrade, an increasing demand for post secondary education will continue.

Note: 2003/04 numbers are as of Sep 30/04

Data from the Reimbursement project conducted in the 2003/2004, supports the conclusion that most students must seek additional funds to cover the total cost of their education (through part time jobs, family funding or student loans).  

Six Nations is currently coping with a “virtual” cap on the number of students who can access education assistance by virtue of these trends. With increasing costs, there will be two choices: number of students assisted will decrease or the value of assistance per student will continue to decrease.  

In “Unfunded Applications”, the dollars required is based on GRPSEO limited rates of assistance of $800 per month allowance, $400 per full time semester for books, and mandatory tuition fees. Funding for travel, child care, dependents or high cost locations is not available due to continued funding shortages. The number of unfunded applications each year is a function of: number of applications, cost of programs, academic year length by program, and student enrolment status (full or part time).  

A Report of Eligible Costs for Unfunded Students as of July 16,2004  was submitted to INAC. The report listed 215 students for a total of $2,188,832.00. This is an annual exercise initiated by INAC to distribute any funding increases to the post secondary area. Any funds received as a result of this  exercise become annualized as an increase to the budget. In August notification was received of an additional $162,200 (annualized funds). Given this increase, a few more students were funded, leaving many without funding. Clearly, no increase to individual student funding allocations could be implemented.

Recognizing that the level of overall post secondary funding is determined externally from the GRPSEO (funding is determined through a Federal Government funding process), the GRPSEO informs students and families of the trends so they can be better informed and prepared.  (See the last page in this report for a sample of information issued to families this year).

As Six Nations post secondary funding is only one piece of national post secondary funding expenditures for First Nations, Six Nations continues to make extra efforts to stand out from a national funding process and environment reported to be plagued with systemic accountability issues.   

The GRPSEO continues to showcase student accomplishments, and share best practices as well as participate in the federal evaluation process.  

Secondary School Graduates – Issues of Quality and Graduate Rates 
                        Opportunities for second chances are being limited

We continue to see an increase in students wanting to take prep programs prior to entering college level post secondary study. Students cite two reasons for this – they lack the courses they need to get into the program they want – or they are not sure what they want to study so they think a prep program is the way to do some exploration.

In an environment where many fully qualified post secondary students are not being funded due to increasing student numbers, increased costs and limited funds – effective September 1, 2005, the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office will no longer fund programs at the pre-college level deemed to be preparatory, exploratory or access oriented for college level study (i.e., not resulting in full post secondary credit) will not be eligible for funding through the GRPSEO. 

Students who do not have the courses required for admission to their program of choice, need to review their options given that most prep programs will no longer be eligible for funding  through the GRPSEO effective September 1, 2005. An information package is available from the GRPSEO for students lacking required high school courses. Students requiring such courses are advised to obtain them free of charge through a local Board of Education via night and summer school if full time attendance in high school is not an option. 

High school students must pay attention to passing a full range of courses (including math & sciences) to keep their options open for further study. Failure to do so will mean a delay in starting their post secondary education as post secondary funding through the GRPSEO is strictly for full post secondary  programs.

Six Nations has experienced an actual decline in applications for education assistance from secondary school grads. This is a negative trend in relation to our population statistics that indicate our secondary school grads should be increasing in number. This trend is linked with several factors including the “young” age of graduates from the four year secondary school program. Some students are opting to work for a year before attempting post secondary studies. 

Number of secondary school applications for education assistance

The GRPSEO therefore participates, as invited, in community forums and strategies designed to address issues of education quality and student preparedness at the elementary and secondary levels. The SEED program with Imperial Oil (focusing on science and tech education) is an example of this. Please see the SEED progress report in this report.

In an environment of shrinking resources, the GRPSEO requires all new student applicants to submit a detailed education plan outlining how and why a program of study has been selected along with employment prospects upon graduation. This process of informed decision making has resulted in some students changing their program choices to programs more suited to individual strengths and interests. 

Student access to post secondary continues to get tougher   

There are two interrelated issues in publicly funded post secondary education that affect our students. The first is a supply and demand issue; the second is a quality issue. With the first issue we often hear of under funded colleges and universities, and the lack of seats in programs where there will be a high demand – such as in medicine. For students this translates into highly competitive admission processes, higher tuition fees, and results in overall limited access to programs of high employment prospects. 

When it comes to continued public funding for post secondary education, the focal point has shifted to accountability – or using business terms – return on investment.  The need for improved collaboration (efficiencies) and accountability (economic effectiveness) from post secondary education has been clearly identified. In a global economy with limited public funds for post secondary education, the drive for public and private investment in post secondary education has become research – research that will create a competitive edge in the global economy with new products, markets and subsequently impact the economy positively.

These issues have contributed to private sector post secondary education – which is more costly and in some cases offering questionable quality of learning outcomes. 

Bottom line – the supply and demand issues in post secondary education are not likely to go away any time soon so students must be as prepared as possible to compete for admission into quality programs.   

Recognizing the significance of these issues, the GRPSEO undertakes proactive initiatives. 

• The GRPSEO works with secondary school counsellors, makes presentations to students and hosts information sessions and forums. These sessions provide critical information for potential students and their families. Future students must plan and be prepared for changing admission criteria. For example, admission requirements often involve required community service, volunteer work, along with rising expectations for academic success.  
• The GRPSEO continues to provide new high school graduates with an option of deferring their post secondary education for one year in favour of obtaining valuable work experience and the opportunity to “save” for those extra costs.  
• The GRPSEO continues to encourage students to keep their options open so they have a range of choice when it comes time to apply to university or college. Graduates are needed in a diverse range of study areas including business, health sciences, technology, and human services. See for example the progress report for the SEED program in this report.  
• The GRPSEO seeks and works with post secondary institutions that demonstrate a will to service the needs of our students and the community. 
  

What does all this mean to you?

1. Will there be post secondary funding for your children and grandchildren?

2. Will your child or grandchild have a dream to pursue?

3. Will your child be prepared to pursue that dream through post secondary education?

4. Will your child get admitted to his/her program of choice?

What Can You Do? Here’s a starting list…..we encourage you to pick one and act on it. 

• Support increased funding for eligible Six Nations post secondary students. There are a variety of ways to do this. For example, send letters of support to the GRPSEO, your councilor; Members of Parliament.    
• Establish a scholarship or bursary in support of student graduation or donate to the Six Nations Post Secondary scholarships c/o the GRPSEO.  See page 44 for Information.
• Sponsor an unfunded student.  
• Hire a summer student so the students can gain valuable experience in their field of study.
• Send words of encouragement to post secondary students.  
• Become a mentor.  
• Golf in "Norm's Golf for Grads 2005" or donate to the Tournament.  
• Encourage excellence in our young people. 
• Teach your young people to dream big and to believe in themselves.  
• Raise a reader. 
• Help you child with their math and science home work.  
• Help young people to know who they are, to understand their past so they can help to make a brighter future for us all.

Summary

The Grand River Post Secondary Education Organization continues to function with clearly stated policy outlining organizational purpose as well as beliefs and values to guide the Board and staff. The organization continues to link with its ownership to ensure that it is “on track”.  

Organizational activities and expenditures are consistent with our organization’s purpose and mindful of resource constraints.  

The organization remains focused on continuous improvement in efficiency/effectiveness of management, administration and student support services. For example,   

• Annual staff planning is completed and critical paths are followed for all significant activities related to student support services.  
• Annual staff in-service, training and performance reviews continue to ensure that the required combinations of knowledge, skill and ability are on hand.    
• We continue to maximize on-campus linkages to enhance support services for our students and the efficiency of our financial administration.   
• We use technology to improve efficiency related to student and institutional communications.   
• We track student progress in a timely fashion.     
• We develop, implement and promote best practices.  
• We seek out strategic alliances both internal and external to the community.   

The Grand River Post Secondary Education Organization hereby reports compliance with all legal and policy requirements related to its mandate.

Progress Report September 2004

Summary
The SEED Program steering committee, created as a result of an agreement between Six Nations of the Grand River Territory (Six Nations) Elected Council and Imperial Oil (Imperial), has successfully developed and implemented a number of educational and employment initiatives available to all members of Six Nations. 

Background
As part of its project to reduce sulphur in gasoline, Imperial constructed a pipeline that crosses Six Nations Territory Claim Lands. An agreement supporting technology education and employment initiatives was developed jointly by the Six Nations Elected Council and Imperial, and reflects community outreach and support initiatives Imperial has in place in locations where it has operations.

As a result of the agreement, the SEED (Science Education and Employment Development) program, funded by Imperial, is available to the Six Nations community. A steering committee of representatives from Six Nations and Imperial designs and implements educational initiatives that are focused on providing people with the skills needed for careers with Imperial, the petroleum industry and other manufacturing industries. 

Six Nations Polytechnic's programs 
Since industrial technology courses at Mohawk College in Hamilton and Lambton College in Sarnia are the points of entry for many of these employment opportunities, SEED's key focus is on encouraging students to continue with math and science and work towards post-secondary education in technology fields.

• In the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 academic years, SEED funded the pretechnology program.  Eight students completed the program, which was affiliated with Lambton College.   One graduate is now enrolled in the Chemical Production Engineering Technology program at Lambton, and three are enrolled in technology programs at Mohawk College. 

• In 2004-2005, SEED is funding the Native Diploma Access Program at the Polytechnic.  It allows mature students to earn eight high school credits towards their grade 12 diploma--with a focus on the math and science credits--that will give them the background to pursue a post secondarytechnology education.  More than 30 students are enrolled in the program. 

Technology Sponsorships and Imperial Oil SEED scholarship

• SEED also sponsors tuition, books and supplies for students enrolled in good standing in selected post-secondary technology programs, which are considered an entry point to jobs at Imperial.  Ten sponsorships have been provided to date, and it is expected that up to 15 students will be sponsored in the 2004-2005 academic year.

• In 2004, SEED introduced the Imperial Oil SEED scholarship.   The scholarship is open to Six Nations members who are currently receiving financial assistance through GRPSEO.  Priority is given to students who pursue studies relevant to the petroleum industry, including engineering, petroleum technologies, business administration, commerce, computer science, earth science and related disciplines.  Six students received scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5000 at the August 19, 2004 GRPSEO awards presentations.

Elementary and High School Programs
The SEED steering committee recognizes that many Six Nations students experience difficulty in math and science.  To help address this issue, SEED continues to sponsor a number of programs: 

• Summer Science Day Camps - SEED sponsored three popular camps in July 2004, conducted at the Polytechnic by engineering students from the University of Waterloo.
• Support for the Six Nations Science Fair - SEED provides $500 to each school participating in the district science fair held in May to be used toward supplies for student projects 
• Support and Involvement in Career Fairs 
• STAY in School Awards - The awards recognize top male and female students studying both math and science in grades 9 through 12.
• Homework Support Program - In the latter part of 2003 and 2004, SEED worked with the Six Nations Education Commission to develop a homework support program for students in grades 7 to 12.  The free program offers tutoring, internet/computer access, access to school supplies to complete projects, access to Grade 10 literacy and math-training software and a quiet place to work.  Since January 2004, there have been more than 350 student visits to the program with over half of students receiving support in math and science.  SEED also provided five computers, computer desks, and math and literacy training software for the program, and continues to support the Education Commission with the cost of tutors and supplies.  

Employment Initiatives
Two students from the Six Nations pretechnology program have worked at Imperial's Nanticoke refinery as an emergency response assistant, and a student attending Lambton College Chemical Production Engineering Technology is currently on a co-operative education placement at the refinery.

Earlier this year, representatives from Imperial's procurement department participated in a workshop for local businesses organized by the Two Rivers Community Development Centre.

SEED also provided funding for computer kiosks at GREAT, which provide information on careers.

The committee is interested in community input, and encourages all Six Nations members to contact one of the committee members directly or through our website (www.seedprogram.ca) with their comments or suggestions.

SEED Steering Committee

Grand River Post Secondary Board Members 2003 – 2004

Brenda Davis, Chairperson
Peter Martin
Susan Hill
Marion Martin
Tom Deer
Barbara A. Martin
George Montour
Lillian Montour
Glenda Porter
Carol Jacobs

GRPSEO STAFF DIRECTORY

All GRPSEO staff have direct lines that you can call if you have a specific question for them. 
All staff has voice mail so you can leave a detailed message and your call will be returned.  
General E-mail:  grpseo@worldchat.com  
Toll Free Number 1-877-837-5180
(Office hours:  Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 4:30pm)

E-mail: grpseo@worldchat.com
New Toll Free Number: 1-877-837-5180
(Office hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Factors to consider in setting up a post secondary award

Type of Award

We suggest that you begin by deciding what type of award you or your organization will establish.

• A scholarship is usually associated with some standard of academic performance. A particular field of study (e.g. medicine) is usually but not always stated. 
• A bursary is associated with financial need e.g. for students with dependent children, for students with outstanding OSAP loans.
• An award linked to community service or demonstrated effort.   

Value and Timing of the Award

Determine the value of the gift, as well as the timing and frequency of when it is issued. 

Some examples follow:

• Total value $5,000 over the length of the student’s official program of studies as verified by the post secondary institution. Issued in equal amounts over the length of the program after submission of marks for each successful semester.
• Total $500 per academic year
• Scholarships of $1,000 to five different students (a maximum of $5,000 per academic year).
• Some awards also include a summer job – or co-op placement, depending on the type of program that may be selected in eligibility criteria. Either of these are very valuable to students.  

Administrative Details

1. Do you wish to have the award given out at the GRPSEO annual student recognition event?
2. Do you wish the GRPSEO to recruit, screen and select recipients? Or,  
3. Will you establish your own screening and selection process, and if so, what will they be?  
4. Must a student apply or do you wish the GRPSEO to identify eligible students from the GRPSEO data base? 

If a student must apply, when is the application deadline? Where is the application sent? Will there be an application form? What documents are required when applying? For example,   

Please submit documentation verifying your progress to date, and your Six Nations membership to the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office along with a letter outlining

• your education plan (including your expected graduate date), and 
• how you plan to make use of your post secondary education.

 

5. How will the award be funded? Will you or your organization issue funds to the GRPSEO to issue? Will you or your organization provide the cheque when it is due? Will you create a perpetual trust fund for this award or fund annually? Do you wish the GRPSEO to establish the trust fund and administer it? If so, what provisions do you want established for keeping you or your designate informed regarding the administration of the trust. 

Eligibility Criteria

Once the type of award is determined then eligibility criteria need to be determined. These range from generic criteria to the more specific. Here is a list to consider:  

Additional eligibility criteria can be added based on the donor’s wishes.  

Thank you for your interest in supporting Six Nations post secondary students in their pursuit of graduation.  

For additional information or assistance, please contact,   

Rebecca Jamieson
Director of Student Services & Counselling

A MESSAGE TO ALL FAMILIES

IT IS WISE TO SAVE FOR YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION

Here are the facts

Every year post secondary funding falls short of what is required

Every year students have to cover part or all of their costs of going to college or university

An example of programs costs to consider:

It cost a single student $6,219.69 to attend ONE semester of university to get a biology degree.  That’s for the basics – no luxuries. The degree takes EIGHT semesters, so the estimated total need for 4 years is approximately $50,000 (without factoring in tuition increases each year).

To be safe – plan on having at least $60,000 on hand if your child is just starting high school.

 

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