Status of Women Committee on April 30th, 2012

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

I think most of them will take on leadership roles in their communities. They take on administrative roles. A lot of our graduates become the principals and vice-principals in the communities. Sometimes they'll take up political work; some may have political aspirations. They are the leaders in the community once they graduate.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

As much as I love Churchill, can I ask you your reach, please, in terms of your students right across the—

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

Mr. Holder, you are out of time, unfortunately.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Perhaps I could just have an answer to that question about the reach across the province or the country.

Thank you.

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

We'll give Ms. Weenie a chance to answer.

Ms. Weenie, the member just wanted to know whether the people come from outside the region or the town.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

I'm just trying to understand where your students come from. Is it from across the city, across the province, or beyond?

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

Could you answer very quickly, please, Ms. Weenie?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Our students come from across the province and they come from other parts of Canada.

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

Thank you.

Over to Ms. Sgro now.

Seven minutes. Go ahead.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Thank you very much.

My list of questions has already been asked by Mr. Calkins. I was going in that very same direction.

With regard to the success rate of most of the students at the university, do most of the students end up back working with the community itself rather than going out into the workforce in larger capacities? You mentioned that a lot of them end up as community leaders and so on. Is that in addition to their following a career path on something else as well?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Most of them are hired in their own communities once they graduate. There is a high need for aboriginal graduates in all areas. We even get requests from other provinces—B.C. and Manitoba have come to visit us—especially for those who are fluent in languages.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

I gather then that the university is filling a very sincere, significant need out there for leadership in the aboriginal community when it comes to languages and so on.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Yes, that's true.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

I would think that would be quite successful. It creates a great opportunity for them, and their acting as a role model back in those communities encourages others to follow in their footsteps.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Yes.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

The head start program has been around for quite a while, and I think has been very successful. Is it still operating in your particular area?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

We once did an evaluation of the Aboriginal Head Start programs in Saskatchewan for Health Canada. We have an Aboriginal Head Start program in Regina, and I'm aware of the one in Prince Albert, so....

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

It continues to be a very successful program.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Yes.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Of the 560 students you currently have at the university, what percentage of them would be women, do you know?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

The majority of them are women. I would say that about 66% or higher are women.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Do most of them come from urban centres?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Most of them come from the communities. As I say, community-based programming is a big part of what we do. For instance, we have programs in Black Lake, which is in northern Saskatchewan.

Most of them are coming from communities.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

It's really good to hear that they're coming out and graduating from the university and then finding very successful opportunities to work within their own community. I did not realize there would be such a need out there, but it's very much....

Those who graduate fulfill several roles, including that of leadership, especially amongst the young women, in order to encourage them to complete their education. I do believe as well that this is the key for success for many.

Their being able to go back into their own communities following graduation from the program must be very satisfying for you as well.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

This is my personal commitment to remaining in this position, to see young people be successful, to support them, and to do whatever it takes to help them be successful. That is always my goal.