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Aboriginal Opportunities
Programs
Aboriginal Enriched Support Program
The Aboriginal Enriched Support Program (AESP), ancillary to the Enriched Support Program (ESP), offers an opportunity for Aboriginal students to take a supported first year of university studies. The AESP provides access to university studies, as well as a unique opportunity to study Aboriginal topics with other Aboriginal students, while in the first year of study. Like the ESP, the AESP program includes tutoring and advising, support workshops, and personal contact with administrators and instructors. AESP special program features include a first-year seminar dedicated to Aboriginal topics and taught from an Aboriginal point of view, as well as a peer mentor program to connect students with Carleton’s Aboriginal community and resources.
Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies with a Minor in Aboriginal Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies emphasizes three thematic areas: Aboriginal Life and Times in Canada, Identities, and Policy, Economy and Society.
Drawing on the insights and research of many disciplines the Canadian Studies program at Carleton seeks to encourage new ways of exploring Canada and the diverse peoples, places, and practices located within its boundaries.
Carleton University’s location in the Canada’s capital, Ottawa, provides an important source of stimulus and support for both faculty and students. Institutions such as the National Library, the National Gallery, the National Archives and the Museum of Civilization, the Supreme Court of Canada, and Parliament Hill, provide unique resources for research and opportunities for internship placements. In addition, many organizations whose scope is national have their headquarters in Ottawa, offering other possibilities for study and research.
Bachelor of Arts in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies (Aboriginal Studies)
In the Bachelor of Arts in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies, students concentrate on a theme or field of interest that crosses the boundaries of the usual programs offered by the University’s departments, schools and institutes. Students design a plan of study based on courses drawn from the various disciplines that bear directly upon their interests. Examples include Aboriginal studies, medieval studies, African studies, Asian studies, labour studies, urban studies, United States studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and studies in technology, society and the environment.
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Scholarships/Bursaries
Aboriginal Postsecondary Education and Training (PSET) Bursary
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has allocated funding to Carleton University to create a new Aboriginal PSET Bursary as part of the ministry’s Aboriginal postsecondary education funding approach. This bursary provides direct support to Aboriginal students with financial need to access support. Aboriginal peoples include First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. Please note, there are a limited number of these bursaries available. To be considered for the Aboriginal PSET Bursary, students must complete the Undergraduate Bursary Application by the published deadline date and voluntarily self-identify.
Gordon Robertson National Inuit Scholarship
Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Inuit Scholarship Committee, to one or two undergraduate or graduate students from the Inuit community. Eligible recipients will be either entering or proceeding from one year to the next in a program at Carleton University. The Director of Awards will make the award to selected undergraduate students and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research will award to selected graduate recipients. Preference will be given to Inuit students undertaking scholarly or research work of benefit, either in the present or the future, to Inuit communities in the Canadian Arctic (Nunuvut) and including Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and Quebec.
Endowed in 2004 by Gordon Robertson, C.C. Gordon Robertson, the Chancellor Emeritus of Carleton University, had an illustrious career with the Canadian government. Over the course of thirty-eight years, he served in a variety of capacities including Deputy Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Clerk of the Privy Council and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Tributes to his public service include the Vanier Medal, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and a Companion of the Order of Canada. Mr. Robertson’s association with Carleton began in the early 1960s when he was appointed a member of the Board of Governors (1962-1971). In 1980, he became Carleton’s fifth Chancellor, a position he held until 1990. In that year he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University and in 1992 was named the University’s first Chancellor Emeritus. To recognize his outstanding contributions to Carleton, Robertson Hall, a key administration building on campus is named in his honour.
Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary Award
Established by The Metis Nation of Ontario through the Metis Training Initiatives and awarded on the basis of financial need to Metis students registered in any year in any faculty or school at Carleton University. Selection for the awards will be made in consultation with the Metis Nation of Ontario. Endowed 1997.
Wilfred Peltier Memorial Scholarship in English
Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English, to an undergraduate or graduate student whose area of interest is Aboriginal Literature. This award was established in 2001 by family, friends and colleagues of Wilfred Peltier, Odawa pipecarrier, who passed away in July 2000. Associated some 20 years with Carleton University, Peltier served as an Elder-in-Residence in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology as well as adviser to the Centre for Aboriginal Education, Research and Culture. Endowed 2001.
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Courses with Aboriginal Content
For a full list of courses with Aboriginal content, please visit the Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education. Carleton offers a number of courses that focus on Aboriginal content in the following subject areas:
- Applied Language Studies
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Canadian Studies
- English Literature
- First-Year Seminars
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Music
- Political Science
- Public Policy and Administration
- Social Work
- Sociology
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Services for Aboriginal Students
Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education
The Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education promotes an Aboriginal welcome and presence on the Carleton campus. Services include one-on-one counselling and support to Aboriginal students, access to an Aboriginal Lounge, and access to visits from Elders. The Centre also hosts or supports various events and activities, positively promoting Aboriginal culture to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants.
Aboriginal Student Council
The Aboriginal Student Council represents students interests. The Council is comprised of students and other interested individuals and meets on a regular basis. The Council supports student recruitment, retention and success by providing a warm and caring Aboriginal community on campus, regular Aboriginal student activities, on- and off-campus student advocacy regarding Aboriginal issues, and peer academic and interpersonal student support.
Aboriginal Student Centre
As a service centre offered through the Carleton University Student’s Association, the Aboriginal Student Centre promotes awareness of Aboriginal student interests, advocates for Aboriginal issues, and represents the voice of Aboriginal students in the decision-making process of the student association.
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Campus Tours
The best way to learn about a university is to spend some time on its campus. Carleton University’s Undergraduate Recruitment Office welcomes Aboriginal students and groups to our campus every year. With a few days notice, we can arrange for you to participate in a campus tour, learn about Aboriginal services and programs, meet students and professors, sit in on a class, and schedule a pre-admission counselling appointment (in-person or by phone).
We encourage all prospective students to take a tour of the Carleton campus, especially those who may be the first in their family to be considering university studies. Visit the Campus Tours website to book your tour online!
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