Lamb FNMI project earns major award

trevor.kenney — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:04:02 +0000

A ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences project is making an impact on First Nations, Métis and Inuit learning, and has been recognized with a major award.

Ashoka Canada, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative and partners announced a number of award-winning ideas and projects that grabbed top honours in the Changemakers Initiative: Inspiring Approaches to FNMI Learning.

Among the winners is a project directed by learning facilitator and current master of arts student Marilyn Lamb (BA/BEd '96).

Learning facilitator and master's student Marilyn Lamb says targeted support can greatly increase graduation rates of FNMI students.

"I am so honoured yet overwhelmed with this recognition and award," says Lamb. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is committed to supporting its First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, and I am proud to be part of this circle."

Lamb says that the goal of the program is not only to personally support students so they can successfully complete their degrees, but also to improve cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural education.

"Before the support services were in place, enrolment and retention were low, with only a handful of students spread across the four-year bachelor of nursing and bachelor of health sciences programs."

With targeted support, those student numbers have steadily increased.

"More than 60 students are currently enrolled for the 2011/2012 school year and continued growth is anticipated. Correspondingly, graduation rates of FNMI students have also increased," she says.

Lamb's submission, Support Services for Aboriginal Students in Health Sciences, was selected from more than 250 entries.

The program is intended to provide support to students by: offering assistance in the often-challenging transition from home and family life to university; mentorship programs with elders and aboriginal health care professionals; as well as tutoring and counselling support. In addition, social networking opportunities are provided along with scholarship and bursary application assistance.

This story first appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

FNMI support project earns award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:37:57 +0000

A ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge master's student has won a major award for the U of L.

Ashoka Canada, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, and partners recently announced award-winning ideas and projects that take the top honours in the Changemakers Initiative: Inspiring Approaches to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning.

Among the winners is a Faculty of Health Sciences project directed by Marilyn Lamb (BA/BEd '96), a learning facilitator and master of arts candidate.

Lamb's submission, "Support Services for Aboriginal Students in Health Sciences" was selected from more than 250 entries.

The program is intended to provide support to students by offering support in the often challenging transition from home and family life to university, mentorship programs with elders and aboriginal health care professionals as well as tutoring and counselling support.

In addition, social networking opportunities are provided as well as assistance with scholarship and bursary applications.

Before the support services were in place, enrolment and retention were low, with only a handful of students spread across the four-year Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Health Sciences programs.

However, with targeted support, these numbers have steadily increased. More than 60 students are currently enrolled for the 2011/2012 school year and continued growth is anticipated. Correspondingly, graduation rates of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students have also increased.

The full submission can be found here: http://www.changemakers.com/fnmi-learning/entries/making-dreams-possible

"I am so honoured yet overwhelmed with this recognition and award," Lamb said. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is committed to supporting its First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, and I am proud to be part of this circle. For me, it means I am a constant presence for the students to help them with whatever their needs may be at any particular time. The goal is not only to personally support students so they can successfully complete their degrees, but also to improve cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural education – and it is an honor to do this work on traditional Blackfoot land."

UNews - Counselling Foundation of Canada

Lamb FNMI project earns major award

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FNMI support project earns award

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