The Transitions project supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Students in School and Career Success. The idea for this website emerged from the Ontario Native Education Counselling Associations’ (ONECA) research on FNMI student success. The first research report published in 2010 addressed best practices in “Transitions” from preschool to post-secondary. It was called Walk in Our Moccasins: A Comprehensive Study of Aboriginal Education Counsellors in Ontario. The second research report in 2011 called the Aboriginal Student Transitions Project focused on best practices at the post-secondary level. As part of this latter research process, a companion document called Web-Based Resources (2011) was also created. All three reports helped to inform the direction, vision and content for this website and its’ resources.

Transitions are defined as “the strategies, programs, policies, curriculum and resources that make First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) student changes from preschool to elementary, from elementary to secondary, from secondary to post-secondary, between institutions, from post-secondary to home and from school to work seamless. It is the activities, events, people, values, support systems and environment that make these progressions between all levels effortless and comfortable. Transitions are solely about the First Nations, Métis and Inuit student having the tools and skills to move confidently between these levels.” – Excerpt adapted from Walk in Our Moccasins: A Comprehensive Study of Aboriginal Education Counsellors in Ontario, ONECA, 2010.

This website and its many resources are aimed at supporting FNMI students in their educational, career and life endeavours. The Transitions portal website and resources are designed to be used by Education Counsellors, Students, Parents/Guardians, Other Professionals and Communities. It covers strategies (with resources) that are appropriate to each audience in the following transitional areas: preschool to elementary, elementary to secondary, secondary to post-secondary, post-secondary to post-secondary, school to work and school to home. The site also offers these stakeholders an opportunity to participate in Interactive applications that will enhance their skills in supporting FNMI students with educational, career and life success.

This project could not have been possible without the following partners and people. We thank them for their ongoing commitment to FNMI students, families and communities. 

 

Inaugural Steering Committee for Transitions 

  • Cindy Fisher (Director of Education, Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation)
  • Claudette Jones (Post-Secondary Student Support Worker/Education Counsellor, Sagamok First Nation)
  • Donna Smith-Sutherland (Manager of Post-Secondary Education Programs, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation)

Researchers

  • Lu Ann Hill-MacDonald (Aboriginal Student Transitions Project)
  • Blake Bisaillon (Web-Based Resources)
  • Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse (Walk in Our Moccasins)

ONECA Staff

  • Roxane Manitowabi (Executive Director, ONECA)
  • Daniella Homer (Administrative Assistant)