Queen’s University has received funding from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to develop new means for aboriginal students to self-identify during their studies.

In an announcement today, Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala outlined the government’s backing for two programs, the Self-Identification Project at Queen`s University and the Kickstart College program at St. Lawrence College, to support Aboriginal students at the two local post-secondary institutions.

“Self-identification facilitates the university's ability to raise students’ awareness of, and access to, all of the specialized programs, services and resources that we have in place to promote their academic and personal success,” says Janice Hill, Director of the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre at Queen’s University. “The goal of this project is to enhance our ability to support Aboriginal learners at Queen's, as we continue to grow Aboriginal enrolment.”

Currently, undergraduates are limited to self-identifying during the Ontario Universities' Application Centre applications process, but unable to do so after the application period closes. The Self ID project will investigate current practices in collecting and reporting data on self-identified Aboriginal students at Queen’s, which will assist in improving student recruitment and retention programs as well as services on campus.

The program aims to examine and reduce the structural and societal barriers to Aboriginal self-identification. It will also track increases in self-identification, accuracy of data collected and enhancements made to existing programs and services as a result of improved self-identification data.

“Initiatives like the (St. Lawrence College) Kickstart College and the Self-Identification Project are so important to support Aboriginal learners and help them succeed in school and in the workplace,” Ms. Kiwala says. “I am so proud that St. Lawrence College and Queen’s are prioritizing equal access for Aboriginal learners that respects their cultural traditions.”

Funding for the Self-Identification Project is being provided by the Ontario’s Targeted Initiatives Fund. The province is investing $3 million to the Targeted Initiatives Fund in 2015-16 to support 20 projects at postsecondary education and training institutions, community-based organizations and other service delivery partners. The Ontario Government has committed to invest $97 million over the next three years to support Aboriginal postsecondary education.