Do Aboriginal People get Free College Education in Canada?

Question

So yeah, do the people of the First Nations get a free college education, no matter where they go?

And also, is it true that they get money every month from the government, just for be an Aboriginal?

Answer 1

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provides funding to help eligible students pursue a college or university education. INAC sets the limits for these benefits every year, but the band or tribal council administers the benefits.

Answer 2

I wouldn't generalize that much. Yes, more assistance is available for Aboriginals in Post Secondary Education. But it isn't "free" education. It is possible some make it through fully financed, but it isn't the norm. If it is the norm in your area, then either the local band is injecting their own extra cash into the programs, or there aren't a hell of a lot of applicants.

Having watched it, there are a lot more disadvantages to being Aboriginal and getting a degree than advantages. I see a lot of Aboriginals in very remote locations where public education is very substandard because you can't attract the top quality teachers, but you still have to pay premium price. Given the choice of a free education as an Aboriginal or paying my way non Aboriginal, I would probably choose the later as an easier route.

Education costs have been going up, and programs are continually being cut. While budget decisions are made locally for local, needs, most of the time the first thing that is cut is where you go. Most do not finance certain programs, or out of province choices. So no, it DOES matter where you go.

Answer 3

It looks like the Rep didn't hear you say "from Guyana" In Canada, Aboriginal refers to Indian, Metis, or Inuit peoples. An Aboriginal from a different country does not have the legal rights that Aboriginal Canadians are entitled to. "First Nation" is a politically correct word for Indian (Indian is a legal word). It refers to persons who belong to a First Nations Indian Band. You would have descendants who were the first peoples before European contact. or married into and accepted by the Band. And that's a really elementary definition. It's true, your regional background wouldn't matter, if you were from somewhere in Canada. "Non-Status" are First Nation Indians who do not belong to a band. There are a few reasons why a First Nation would lose their Indian Status... and it's all Federally controlled. The Act governing the First Nation peoples has been criticized for being a form of genocide (at an extreme). The amount of paid education First Nations and Metis persons get varies by Band and Metis local. There's not a lot of money going around on the Bands. People who do get their education paid for are few, and many other Band members miss that opportunity. There's a bit more scholarships and bursaries available because of the institutional and euro-centric oppression that affects peoples today. Many First Nations and Metis peoples worry about money and paying for education. Including me, still oweing on my student loans. There are scholarships out there for "visible minorities" you self-identify that you are a visible-minority and shazam! access to more scholarships. First Nation status, Metis status, or visible minority status is not advantageous for your studies. You will not have a better chance being selected to research with the prof. you will not be more likely to study abroad, you may have a chance at getting a job with that diverse background stuff (Human Rights something something) You will find most students at UofA open to your cultural background and treat you with the same respect as other students. Check the Student's union for visible minority support groups and offices Good luck with your studies, mate.

Answer 4

Hey, I'm no expert and everything but i do know that education for aboriginals are not free but paid for; that's if they even qualify for funding. Yeah so there's a difference between free and paid for. We also do not get money for being an aboriginal every month, its sort of an initiative for those who do go to school.

Answer 5

From browsing the web, I notice that a number of universities in Canada offer scholarships to native people. These scholarships only seem to be extended to a few students per institution and are rather modest (would not cover a year of studies). However, why would they be offered at all if university education were free? Therefore, I would think that the answer is no, aboriginal people do not get to attend university for free, though there may be scholarships and government programs to assist with their tuition. As to money just for being aboriginal, I don't see anything about that. But, Canadians in general (not just native people) who have little or no income, do receive government money (i.e. social assistance). The Canadian Encyclopedia states: "Native people rely on social assistance more than any other ethno-cultural group in Canada."

Answer 6

"Registered Indians" are eligible for some benefits from the federal government in Canada. According to the government website:

"DIAND provides financial assistance, through administering authorities such as First Nation councils, to eligible Registered Indian students enrolled in, or accepted to, eligible post-secondary education programs. DIAND also funds some programs designed for First Nation students at First Nation and post-secondary institutions.

Educational services for Registered Indians in the Yukon and Registered Indians and Inuit in the Northwest Territories are provided by the respective territorial governments. Registered Indians and Inuit in northern Quebec receive educational services from the province of Quebec under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement."

If you visit the website I've provided, you can read more about who is considered a "Registered Indian" and the benefits they are eligible for.