Hello, She:kon, Tansi, Okii, Bonjour.

A Word from the Learners

First Nations Technical Institute's motto is "Sharing and Learning".

We at the FNTI's Aboriginal Media Program believe that knowledge should be shared. Our new on-line magazine, The Learning Track, was designed with sharing in mind.

The Learning Track is geared towards Aboriginals who have decided to look at post-secondary education as well as towards educators.

When we were researching stories on Native post-secondary education in Canada, we found some of the information available to be scattered and vague.

We have taken it upon ourselves to develop this magazine with other Aboriginal students in mind.

The Learning Track is a place where we can share stories about education, the pros and cons. It will also provide an on-line forum to look at programs and find out how others have experienced the world of post-secondary education.

We hope that your visit here is informative and thought provoking.

Aboriginal Media Program learners

A Word from the Facilitators

The Aboriginal Media Program was created in 1997 to help aspiring Aboriginal journalists tell stories of their families, communities, nations and people. At First Nations Technical Institute we believe education is a powerful and effective tool for Aboriginal people.

As a special pilot project, our learners developed and produced an on-line magazine. Recognizing the huge growth of Aboriginal controlled education in Canada in recent years, learners decided to look at some programs and trends, particularly in post-secondary education. They decided to call their magazine The Learning Track and to write about what they know as Aboriginal people who have successfully navigated the difficult waters of higher education.

The Learning Track doesn't gloss over those difficulties. For example, one thoughtful story points out that the silver lining to a jail sentence can be the chance to get an education. The Learning Track doesn't claim to be comprehensive. The stories in this first issue are snapshots, stories about programs and people in education who caught the notice of our contributors.

With this pilot edition, The Learning Track hopes to start and continue an online dialogue about Aboriginal post-secondary education. Email us your comments and criticism, your story ideas and your own education stories.

Watch this space for regular changes and updates.

Brant Bardy, Coordinator;
Susan White, Facilitator
Aboriginal Media Program at FNTI