"Ontario invests in Native students"

TORONTO - The government of Ontario is investing $26.4 million in Aboriginal post-secondary education in 2009-10.

"This funding will create opportunities, support services and remove barriers for Aboriginal students to pursue postsecondary education," said Chris Bentley, newly-appointed Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in the McGuinty government cabinet.

"It will help to close the education gap that exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and provide greater success and opportunities for future generations of Aboriginal students."

Anishinabek Educational Institute is one of nine Aboriginal post-secondary institutions last year. The announcement includes a new bursary program to help Aboriginal students in financial need attend college, university or Aboriginal post-secondary institutions in the province. Ontario is also funding a range of Aboriginal student support services, including career counselling, mentoring and Elders in residence - a program enabling Elders to share their wisdom and experience with students.

"By helping Aboriginal students get the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, we can help them reach their full potential and we can build the highly-skilled workforce we need to make our province more competitive and ensure that all Ontarians prosper," said John Milloy, Minister of Training Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation Bonnie Patterson, president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities, said:

"Ontario universities are strongly committed and engaged in ensuring the success of Aboriginal students and we welcome initiatives like this one which help to advance this goal. We look forward to continuing our work with the Ontario government in improving Aboriginal Peoples' access to, participation in, and completion of postsecondary education."