National Adult Literacy Database

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) Strategic Focus priorities for 2005-2006 included Aboriginal peoples’ access to post-secondary education, and enhancing student success support mechanisms in colleges and institutes which are grounded in Aboriginal values, culture and tradition.

In April and May 2005, ACCC initiated a study on Aboriginal programs and services at colleges and institutes. The study included a literature review, an on-line survey for mainstream ACCC member colleges and institutes, and interviews with representatives from Aboriginal and northern ACCC member colleges and institutes, and the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium, an Associate Member of ACCC.

This report provides an overview of Aboriginal post-secondary education trends in Canada drawn from 2001 Census data and gives an overview of the current barriers to Aboriginal learners’ participation in post-secondary education.