Lending a Hand

Rhonda Klippenstein has an office in building F at the Notre Dame campus of Red River College. It's located inside the Aboriginal Support Centre on the second floor.

There is a drop in centre right next to her office.

Next door, a little ways down the hallway there is a computer room where Aboriginal students can get together.

These are just some of the tools being used to help Aboriginal students become successful at the college.

"It's really a team effort. We all work on different aspects of a bigger picture.".

Klippenstein is Metis. She's been working at the college for the last twelve years. Over that time her job has evolved.

Now she is helping Aboriginal students with financial problems.

"People think an Aboriginal student can just walk in and get free school."

Klippenstein says this is not the case.

" Many bands have a limited education fund. It's kind of first come first serve. They get to choose who to sponsor and who gets to come to school."

"The amount is not generous. It hasn't changed in twenty or thirty years. So what they were given that many years ago, is what they are getting now. Of course there have been tuition hikes and cost of living has gone up as well."

The extra money she helps the students get often shows up on the dinner table.

"We like to say it's the difference between having baloney or chicken for supper."

A lot of the Aboriginal students at the college aren't aware of all the awards, bursaries, scholarships, internships, and employment opportunities she can help them out with.

Another service the centre provides Aboriginal students on campus is a chance to get in touch with their culture.

"Some people assume that if you are an Aboriginal person then you know everything about the culture and what it means to be an Aboriginal person. Some of them don't and haven't practiced a lot of the traditional ways. Here at the centre we are able to give them that at sharing circles and events."

Some of these programs, such as one that involves teachings from elders are open to all students.

"I think it's important to learn the history of your country which includes Aboriginal people."

Cheyenne Chartrand works at the Princess street campus in a small office on the fourth floor.

She was also hired by the college twelve years ago. She works as a recruiter and adviser who goes out into the communities.

The main part of her job is to be the primary source of contact for Aboriginal students. It's her job to act as a liaison between them and the college.

When she was young she struggled as a single mom while studying at the University of Manitoba. She has seen first hand what many of her students are going through.

"I remember being a university student heading down to the student centre in tears, ready to toss in the towel."

That's when a lady named Mary Young helped her out. Chartrand wants to have the same impact on others.

"It's really nice to see the students succeed. I like to think that I can play a small part in a student making their dream come true."

"They are making things happen. They are sounding their voices. They are using their education to push things forward. It's not just for themselves. They are doing it for their people and for their community."