The problem is that young people drop out starting in their second year of high school. Some communities do not even have high schools. Sometimes, only junior high school is offered. That means that 13 and 14 year olds have to leave their communities to go to school in another community or in an urban area. We see the feelings of isolation and stress that this can cause for these students, who are dropped into another reality. In addition, the promotion of health careers is lacking. There is no motivation. First nations see these careers as unattainable. So we need to tell them that is not the case.
On March 25th, 2010. See this statement in context.