National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
Encyclopedia
The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization
dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples in Canada
, especially youth to achieve their potential.
, Inuit
and Métis
students nationwide.
NAAF is partnered with Canadian corporations, federal departments, national organizations, and other private sector companies to implement Industry in the Classroom. Aboriginal educators and youth participated in focus groups and directed the curriculum’s design. NAAF also collects and analyzes applicant and student data and prepares statistical reports to paint a picture of the financial assistance being provided to Aboriginal students across Canada.
Over 30,000 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events to date nationwide. The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation has evolved into the largest non-governmental funding body for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis post secondary students across Canada. Bursary and scholarship awards are provided to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis student across a diverse range of disciplines.
In the 2008-2009 fiscal year $4.6 million was awarded to 1300 recipients across Canada. In total, NAAF has disbursed over $32-million to over 8,400 recipients since its inception. NAAF offers financial assistance (scholarships and bursaries) through four major categories - Post-Secondary Education, Fine Arts, Health Careers, and Oil and Gas Aboriginal Trades and Technology -
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, especially youth to achieve their potential.
About
To date the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $37-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 9,800 First NationsFirst Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
, Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
and Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
students nationwide.
NAAF is partnered with Canadian corporations, federal departments, national organizations, and other private sector companies to implement Industry in the Classroom. Aboriginal educators and youth participated in focus groups and directed the curriculum’s design. NAAF also collects and analyzes applicant and student data and prepares statistical reports to paint a picture of the financial assistance being provided to Aboriginal students across Canada.
Over 30,000 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events to date nationwide. The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation has evolved into the largest non-governmental funding body for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis post secondary students across Canada. Bursary and scholarship awards are provided to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis student across a diverse range of disciplines.
In the 2008-2009 fiscal year $4.6 million was awarded to 1300 recipients across Canada. In total, NAAF has disbursed over $32-million to over 8,400 recipients since its inception. NAAF offers financial assistance (scholarships and bursaries) through four major categories - Post-Secondary Education, Fine Arts, Health Careers, and Oil and Gas Aboriginal Trades and Technology -
Initiatives
NAAF’s key initiatives include:- The National Aboriginal Achievement AwardsNational Aboriginal Achievement AwardsThe National Aboriginal Achievement Awards are annual awards presented by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in Canada. The awards are intended to celebrate and encourage excellence in the Aboriginal community.-About:...
(NAAA) a national annual broadcast celebrating 14 achievers in a multitude of career areas including a special youth award and an award for lifetime achievement.
- "Taking Pulse" joins NAAF with industry to present career options in specific growth sectors through a series of short documentaries and supporting curriculum materials with the aim of recruiting First Nations, Inuit & Métis youth.
- "Blueprint for the Future" (BFF) a series of one-day career fairs that motivate and inspire First Nations, Inuit and Métis high school students with valuable resources and information on career opportunities.
See also
- Notable Aboriginal people of CanadaNotable Aboriginal people of CanadaOver the course of centuries, many Aboriginal Canadians have played a critical role in shaping the history of Canada. From art and music, to law and government, to sports and war; Aboriginal customs and culture have had a strong influences on defining Canadian culture...
- Aboriginal Day of ActionAboriginal Day of ActionThe Aboriginal Day of Action was a day of organized protest and demonstration by Canadian First Nations groups on June 29, 2007...
- Aboriginal Peoples Television NetworkAboriginal Peoples Television NetworkAboriginal Peoples Television Network is a Canadian broadcast and cable television network. APTN airs and produces programs made by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples...
- Native Women's Association of CanadaNative Women's Association of CanadaThe Native Women's Association of Canada, or NWAC, is one of Canada's National Aboriginal Organizations, and represents Aboriginal women, particularly First Nations and Métis women. Inuit women are represented by the separate organization, Pauktuutit...