Strategy Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services

The Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services at Cambrian College supports Aboriginal, Métis, and Inuit students in their transition to College life and helps to keep them connected to their community and culture throughout their College journey.

Cambrian College and the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services have a goal to improve Aboriginal peoples’ access to, participation in and completion of postsecondary education and training opportunities; thereby, closing the postsecondary education and training gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in our region.

Wabnode will focus on applying strategic directions in alignment with the Cambrian College Strategic Plan (2009-2014). This approach will be blended and embedded in the Aboriginal philosophy of the Medicine Wheel, incorporating the Four Directions, Four Races of Humankind, and the Four Seasons. The approach will focus on the following:

Development of a comprehensive Métis Strategy,

Partnership Development/Identity,

Elders Programming and Culture,

Student Services and Supports

Build a strong identity and visible Métis presence within the Cambrian College community, Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services and within the Regional community.

Build and nurture strong relationships with the Métis community in Canada, on a provincial, regional and local level.

Develop and enhance Métis cultural activities, heritage and history, in order to firmly entrench and strengthen cultural presence and identity, awareness of and self esteem.

Build a student support structure which will ultimately result in attracting Métis students to Cambrian College as their choice of College and supporting them to be successful.

Enhance and develop strong partnerships with industry, Aboriginal education institutions, Aboriginal organizations and communities through Partnership Agreements, M.O.U.’s, various collaborations , and re-establishing the Anishnaabe Affairs Committee.

Enhance Wabnode’s presence within the College by improving and increasing the visual ‘identity’ utilizing improved signage, Aboriginal specific promotional materials, development of multimedia advertising tools and improving the website presence and accessibility.

Development of an effective mechanism for Aboriginal students, current and potential, to self-identify to the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services and to Cambrian College at key strategic points of entry.

Development of new branding materials which will include a much improved selection of promotional materials including roll-up banners, brochures, promo giveaway items, website presence and enhancement.

Continue with the community based delivery of Cambrian programming to satellite campus sites and educational institute partners, while expanding and advancing community engagement activities.

Develop an Elder Advisory Committee at Cambrian College.

Liaise and recruit a ‘pool’ of Elders from the region with varying backgrounds or ‘gifts’ whom will participate as part of a roster of Elders for the program.

Develop and implement a full schedule of cultural based activities to be offered on a regular basis to students, staff and faculty at Cambrian College

Implement a new process for the recruitment of, renumeration of and scheduling of various Elders on a regular schedule at the College.

Host a variety of student/learner centered activities/workshops each semester.

Continue to integrate Aboriginal knowledge across programs throughout Cambrian.

Development of recruitment activities designed to target specific potential students in choosing Cambrian as their first choice for college study.

Enhancement of the Cultural Facilitator position and programming at Wabnode.

Métis Strategy Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services

The Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services at Cambrian College will help Métis students make the transition to college and will provide them with ongoing support throughout their college studies. Key to their successful education journey is the supportive staff members at Wabnode. They will ensure that Métis students have access to all Wabnode programs, services and supports that are designed to help them succeed before, during and after their years at Cambrian.

• Develop and enhance the Métis presence within the college by increasing Wabnode’s visual identity using signage, and Aboriginal/Métis specific branding.

• Enhance web page and develop online/web materials specific and relevant to the Métis culture to promote a strong presence.

• Create and/or improve mechanisms for self-identification of Métis status with the overall goal to increase access to supports and enhanced academic and social success.

• Strengthen and build relationships with relevant Métis organizations, businesses and communities, committees and boards.

• Create a seat on the Anishnaabe Affairs Committee at Cambrian College as a representative of the MNO.

• Develop a M.O.U or partnership agreement with the Métis Nation of Ontario directed at education partnership, collaboration, resources development and enhancement of services specific to the Métis community here at Cambrian College.

• Collaborate with communities, business and industry on various initiatives.

• Develop cultural activities that are parallel to those services that are currently available to Aboriginal students through Wabnode but with a greater emphasis on the unique needs of the Métis community on campus.

• Deliver 4 Métis specific workshops to the Cambrian community over the academic year.

• Recruit Métis Senators to participate as part of the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services’ Elder’s Program in order to provide a strong cultural presence to support and to encourage participation in the Cambrian community.

• Develop practical, specific programs and activities designed to enhance academic success.

• Host a variety of Métis student/learner activities or workshops each semester.

• Collaborate with Métis alumni and develop opportunities for mentorship.

• Collaborate with CNSA and their Métis representation in order to enhance services provided to and specific to the Métis needs.

• Provide additional Métis cultural events similar to the Louis Riel Day Celebration in order to promote awareness and knowledge of the Métis community by showcasing contemporary and well known Métis speakers, storytellers etc. during the lunch and learn in partnership with the Student Centre, CNSA and SAC.