Aboriginal Education

Aboriginal Special Projects Fund

Overview

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development administers the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund (ASPF) to provide limited, short-term financial support that assists British Columbia’s public post-secondary institutions in developing and delivering culturally-sensitive and quality educational programming and support services for Aboriginal learners.

The primary purpose of the program is to increase participation, success and retention rates for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia. Through the fund, the ministry also encourages partnerships between public post-secondary institutions, Aboriginal organizations, bands, tribal councils, Aboriginal advisory councils and Aboriginal-controlled institutions. The ASPF supports the development and pilot of new programs and courses, cultural education support and transition programs, student recruitment activities, and student support services.

Since the ASPF’s inception eight years ago, projects funded through the ASPF have included adult basic education, social work, health programs, Aboriginal Language programs, justice and the law, community economic development, natural resource management, tourism, math and science, early childhood education, teacher education, trades, governance, film, fine arts and on-line learning.

ASPF funding has also been used to educate Aboriginal learners in areas of need in their communities. These programs include Social Service Worker, Home Support/Resident Care Attendance preparation, preparation for Nursing and other health-related careers, Diploma in Aboriginal Justice, Teacher’s Assistant, First Nations Museology Certificate, Native Indian Teacher Education Program, Child and Youth Care Bachelor’s Program and Master of Social Work Program with a First Nations focus.

Final Reporting Procedures

Please submit both a hard copy and electronic copy of all Final Reports

Please note:

  • Final reports and/or interim reports for funds received in 2008/09 are due March 31, 2009 and must be received prior to the consideration of new 2009/10 proposals.
  • The Ministry reserves the right to distribute and share information contained in these reports throughout the Province, including the right to post final reports on the Internet.
  • The Ministry reserves the right to exclude institutions from future consideration if final reports are not submitted in a timely manner.

Final Reports must include:

  1. Description of the degree to which the project was successful in achieving its objectives.
  2. Statistics related to the project such as number of registrants, number who completed the program detailed by full-time and part-time students, identification of student contact hours if applicable.
  3. Description of benefits and impact on individuals, community, institution or the province.
  4. Financial statements showing revenue received, funding sources, and actual expenditures (surplus amounts must be identified and will be retained by the institution for Aboriginal programs).
  5. Copies of any affiliation or partnership agreements.
  6. Evidence of networking and consulting with other post-secondary institutions, Aboriginal community partners, Bands and or Tribal councils and Aboriginal-controlled institutions.
  7. Employment or further educational opportunities accessed by students completing the program.
  8. Summary of internal evaluation of the program and any external evaluation conducted.
  9. Identification of the institution’s long-term plan for the program.
  10. Recommendations that this project has for others considering similar work.
  11. Copies of the final product, materials of interest, or curriculum (where applicable).

If you have any questions regarding the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund please contact Thane Bonar, Research Officer, at Thane.Bonar@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250-952-6114.