MONTREAL/November 19, 2003—
ìNAEP is writing the script to a new story of a new time when Indigenous peoples will combine their traditional wisdom with science and engineering expertise to carefully and respectfully develop the rich storehouse of resources that Mother Earth provides.î-Elmer Ghostkeeper, an engineer from the MÈtis settlements
of Northern Alberta and NAEP's Honoured Elder,
http://www.nativeaccess.com
MONTR…AL / November 17, 2003 -- The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has awarded a $10,000 Michael Smith Award for the Promotion of Science to Concordia University's Native Access to Engineering Program (NAEP). The award, in recognition of its 10-year effort to promote excellence in math and science education among Canada's Aboriginal population, will be presented to NAEP at a banquet held at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 19, 2003.
From modest beginnings in 1993, the NAEP has grown into a one-of-a-kind resource centre that:
ï delivers culturally relevant math and science curriculum to teachers of Aboriginal students;
ï conducts extensive outreach with students, educators, business, academia and government;
ï creates innovative learning approaches that connect indigenous knowledge with Western scientific applications
ï operates a comprehensive website http://www.nativeaccess.com that is the hub of a growing e-learning community boasting more than 200,000 visits over the last 18 months.
More than half of the Aboriginal population in Canada is under 18 years of age. NAEP works directly with Native communities and educators to affect change one student at a time. Its focus on math and science preparation lies in the belief that Aboriginal young people can lead their own community and economic development, and provide much needed manpower for Canada's existing and future labour market shortages. Land and resource management as well as infrastructure development in Native territories will require many engineers and specialists who are familiar with rural and remote environments and who are professionally qualified.
NAEP's expertise in the area of math and science education is sought by government, academia and the private sector in both Canada and the United States. NAEP founder, Professor Corinne Mount Pleasant-JettÈ, has served as co-chair of a national task force known as the Minister's Working Group on First Nations Education which reported to the Government of Canada in February 2003. She was invited to participate in the development of criterion-reinforced testing procedures aimed at improving the delivery of education to Native American children in the US, as mandated by the U.S. Government Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs.
More than 100 of the University's faculty and staff have been directly involved in NAEP work. Rector Frederick Lowy is very proud of the program, saying ìThe NAEP is a living example of Concordia's ongoing mission to be responsive to the community, and to welcome students whose families have not traditionally pursued post-secondary education.î
Background:
The Michael Smith Awards were named in honour of BC Nobel Laureate, Michael Smith, who donated a portion of his Nobel winnings to organizations working towards the promotion of science to Canadians, and challenged the federal and provincial governments to do the same. The juried prizes are presented annually to individuals and groups for outstanding contributions to the promotion of science in Canada.
Information:
Dawn Wiseman,
Coordinator, NAEP
tel.: (514) 848-2424 (ext. 7847); cel: (514) 909-7847; fax: (514) 848-4596
e-mail: dawn@encs.concordia.ca
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