LE,NONET a blueprint for Indigenous student success

If UVic's First Peoples House represents the current focal point for Aboriginal programs and initiatives on campus, then the results of the LE,NONET Project—announced in the distinctive building on Nov. 10—represent the future.

The ground-breaking, four-year national research project conducted by UVic demonstrates that universities can take practical steps that significantly support the success and, ultimately, graduation rates of Indigenous students.

"What has been accomplished here is very, very important," said John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and MP for Vancouver Island North, at the announcement. "You have provided creative and thoughtful ideas for supporting Indigenous students."

LE,NONET (pronounced le-non-git, and meaning, in the language of the local Straits Salish people, "success after enduring many hardships") was funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

It offered participating Aboriginal students culturally relevant supportive programming, community experiences, peer mentoring and financial assistance, and measured the impact on student retention and success.

The results demonstrate that students who receive this type of support are 100-per-cent more likely to stay in school. LE,NONET participants, on average, also stayed in university a year longer than Indigenous students who didn't participate in the program. Despite the short duration of the program, graduation rates increased by 20 per cent.

"The results are truly remarkable, especially given the short time span of the project," said UVic President David Turpin. "These results provide a blueprint for how UVic and other universities across Canada can create the atmosphere that will attract Aboriginal students to post-secondary education and provide the opportunity to succeed."

Leading the project were UVic co-principal investigators Chris Lalonde and Sarah Hunt.

UVic history alumna and LE,NONET participant Kendra Underwood completed a community internship with the Saanich Adult Education Centre, where she is now director.

"It was truly life-altering, and I don't use those words lightly," said Underwood, adding that she's "loving every minute" of her new job. "I can't see myself doing anything else."

More info: http://bit.ly/9o9zbN

[Photo above by Gary Mckinstry]