Education

While educational attainment rates have increased significantly for Aboriginal peoples in the last 20 years, Aboriginal students in Canada are still far less likely to graduate from high school or enter a post-secondary program compared to their non-Aboriginal peers. According to the 2006 Census of Canada, only three percent of Registered Indians had a university degree, compared to six percent of the broader Aboriginal population and 18 percent of the entire Canadian population.

The educational attainment gap is a significant issue for Aboriginal communities and is one of the barriers to economic participation in our industry. We fund a number of educational initiatives to help address this issue.

Educational Awards

In 2008 and in 2009, we expanded our Aboriginal Awards Program significantly to support a greater number of Aboriginal students. In 2008, we granted 18 awards totalling $40,000 and in 2009, 20 awards totalling $49,000. The program is open to all Aboriginal students.

Stay-in-School Program

Every year we partner with Aboriginal communities to deliver our Stay-in-School Program. This program encourages students from kindergarten to high school to complete their education by providing recognition and awards for achievement in academics, attendance, athletics, culture and other topics.

ConocoPhillips Canada works directly with the educational authorities and schools in each Aboriginal community to deliver the program every year. In 2008 and 2009, we partnered with the Sunchild, O’Chiese, Aseniwuche Winewak, Alexis Nakota Sioux and West Moberly First Nations. In other areas we partner with our industry peers to deliver the program to communities including Doig River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations and the Kelly Lake Aboriginal communities.

E-Learning Program

As a founding sponsor, ConocoPhillips Canada continues to actively support the Sunchild E-Learning program. This initiative creates accountability and interaction between students and teachers. Students are logged into the computer during class times and speak directly with teachers through text messaging or microphone. This model of educational delivery works well for isolated communities.

In 2008 and 2009, ConocoPhillips Canada provided funding for Aboriginal students in four communities: the Sunchild First Nation (two sites), the Louis Bull First Nation, Chipewyan Prairie First Nation and Calgary.

Community Investment

We invest in Aboriginal communities through social capacity and cultural development initiatives including:

• The Northeast Native Advancing Society’s “Go-Kart for Girls” event, which promoted female involvement in trades. Girls aged 11-15 developed skills including engineering and design, welding, use of power tools, construction and painting while building a go-kart. Besides these skills, participants gained experience in leadership and team-building. The girls built six community go-karts, which were featured in a community celebration and race-off. Incidentally, the team that carried the ConocoPhillips Canada flag won the race!
• The Minerva Foundation’s “Combining Our Strength” initiative, which brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women in supporting leadership development, education, economic security and safety. For example, Community Learning Circles, a mentorship program for Aboriginal women, has been facilitated by the Chief of the Fort Nelson First Nation and has a high level of participation of women.
• The Mamowichihitowin Project, which trains first responders like RCMP, firefighters and health-care workers to approach and manage situations of domestic abuse in Aboriginal communities in a manner which promotes dignity and respect. An initiative of the Hinton Friendship Center in northern Alberta, the training includes community participants who are victims of domestic violence sharing their experiences.