New school program for aboriginal students

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board officially launched a new high-school program, Thursday, for aboriginal students. The Urban Aboriginal Alternate High School Program is run in partnership with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, and operates out of the centre.

The program offers courses such as mathematics and life skills, but it also includes instruction in aboriginal art, history and culture.

There are only 12 students so far, and two or three instructors. But the principal, Mike Laurie, says it offers hope to aboriginal kids.

"They are, to be honest, failing," Laurie says. "A program likes this builds their self-esteem, sets them back on the track for success.

"What we're hoping is that, after a couple of semesters in a program like this one, they can be integrated back into a composite high school, and move forward to complete a diploma, and go on to college or university," Laurie says.

Zak Gunner, 16, attended a regular high school in Ottawa, but he wasn't doing well. That's changed in the past few months. Since attending the new program, he's doing much better.

He says it's "because I'm coming to school more often, and it's easier. There's more one-on-one with the teacher, and you work at your own pace. You're not being pushed, and it's easier to go to school."

So far there are three schools programs like this in Ontario. The Ministry of Education thinks they're a good idea, and plans to start several more in the future.