Aboriginal Peoples

Academica Group has conducted numerous policy and evaluation studies related to the experience of Aboriginal peoples in education, health care, and the labour market.

In 2007, we were contracted by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation to explore the feasibility of developing a post-secondary planning resource adapted specifically to the needs and cultural realities of Aboriginal students, based on our BC Perspective project. Our report identified a range of barriers to PSE experienced by Aboriginal students, including racism and discrimination in mainstream PSE institutions, family responsibilities, lack of awareness and respect for native culture and traditions in both secondary schools and colleges and universities, as well as lack of financial support. Significantly, Aboriginal leaders, government representatives, and educational experts reinforced the findings from the secondary literature that curriculum developed by and for Aboriginal people is a key element of effective initiatives to increase Aboriginal participation in PSE.

In 2008, we conducted two program evaluations for the Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit (ACCU) of Cancer Care Ontario. The first was an impact evaluation of 11 Community Capacity Building projects funded by the ACCU's Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy, and the second was a process evaluation of the ACCU's colorectal cancer "train the trainer" initiative piloted in 10 remote and rural First Nations communities.

We also worked with the Aboriginal Human Resource Council of Canada (AHRC) to explore attitudes and perceptions of multi-sector employers on AHRC's Mastering Aboriginal Inclusion resource, and the National Association of Friendship Centres to assess the experience of urban Aboriginal youth in the transition from school to skilled work.