James Brook Wilson, 37, is a graduate of California State University who spent two years as a member of U.S. armed forces special operations.

Now he's back home teaching at Joe A. Ross School in Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba.

He's typical of thousands of Aboriginal people with advanced education, paid for by their communities, who bring that expertise back home.

Media students are: Back (Left), John Hawke, Colin French, Brent Wesley, Front, Jennifer Ashawasegai, Tiar Wilson, Elder Al Brant, Marlene Girouard, Jaylene O'Watch, Crystal Scrimshaw, Christina George, Joy Rose Flett, Wendy Sero, and facilitator Don Gray. PHOTO BY Brant Bardy

This issue of the Learning Track has been inspired by education, the diverse education of Indigenous people everywhere, from communities right here in North America to further abroad in Australia.

Continuing with the Aboriginal approach to education and learning, our on-line publication reminds readers that education is much more than an institution. It is about sharing and learning within the circle that has no beginning or end.

The Learning Track's writers are enrolled in the Aboriginal Media Program at First Nations Technical Institute. In various stages of learning, the mothers, daughters, sons, warriors, young adults, and grassroots people have a variety of levels of knowledge and education in life.

The stories you are about to read are about a people who have struggled, succeeded, have been beaten or abused, but who continue to enjoy the path towards education.

Aboriginal Media Program learners

The Aboriginal Media Program was created in 1997 to help develop Aboriginal journalists who can tell stories of their families, communities, nations and people.

At First Nations Technical Institute education is a powerful and effective tool for Aboriginal people. As part of their curriculum our learners develop and produce an on-line magazine.

Three years ago, recognizing the huge growth of Aboriginal controlled education in Canada, learners decided to investigate and document that growth, particularly in post-secondary education. Thus The Learning Track was born, produced by learners and infomed by 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 story says higher education can sometimes interfere with acceptance at home. The Learning Track doesn't claim to be comprehensive. The stories in this third issue are snapshots of programs and people who caught the notice of our contributors.

The Learning Track hopes to continue an on-line dialogue about Aboriginal post-secondary education. Email us your comments and criticism, your story ideas and your own education stories.

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

Plan to tax Aboriginal student income on hold until next year: federal government