b'GRADUATIONthe resulting outcomes in the provinces isolatedto make post-secondary education more accessible in Indigenous communities. Although this is a snapshotQuebec. The theory is that it also ensures that students of one region, the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee (Ourhave a proper academic preparation to succeed at landEeyou Istchee which means The Peoples Land)university. There are both public subsidized and private comprises 11 Cree communities and over 300 traplines,colleges, with the public CGEPs having little or no or traditional family hunting and trapping grounds. Alltuition fees. of my students spoke Cree as their first language, with English not far behind and French a very distant third place. We also had around 100 Inuit families in thisABSENTEEISM & HEALINGcommunity of about 5,000 people. Not all communities across the country collect and provide the same type of reporting data, which makes For those unaware, CGEPs are publicly funded collegesit difficult to confirm areas of study for those that go on that provide technical, academic and/or vocationalto post-secondary education. But it is true that absen-programs, and they are exclusive to Quebecs educationteeism plays a significant role in delayed graduation system. Although all colleges in Quebec are colloquiallyat all levels. This can be split into two types of absen-referred to as CGEPs, only public colleges are officiallyteeism: that caused by things deemed traumatic and referred to by that name. They are often compared tothat which could be considered non-traumatic. I have junior colleges or community colleges, but they differdefined absenteeism as the habitual pattern of absence from them because to get into university in Quebecfrom school caused by events and circumstances that students need a Diploma of College Studies (or Diplmetypical students from the community where I taught dtudes collgiales, DEC) unless they enter as a matureencountered. For examples of both types of absen-student, which typically means a minimum age of 21,teeism, see the sidebar on pg. 31. combined with other requirements. Unless their high school diploma was earned in another province orYou might be wondering, Well, whats happening country, post-secondary students in Quebec usuallyhere? Everyone gets on and off the struggle bus daily. cannot enter university with only a secondary diploma.I am not against empathy, but unchecked empathy Pre-university programs are typically two years in dura- can be challenging. I have always contended that its tion, filling the gap between secondary school and annot about who can sing the saddest song the longest undergraduate degree, which are both one year shorterbecause you know who cares less about your struggles in Quebec relative to other parts of Canada. Technicalthan you? Everybody. What I mean by that is that it is programs are typically three years in duration, withgreat to be empathetic towards your child who is afraid specialization in courses leading to a career right afterof the dark, but not so empathetic that you are also graduation. Depending on the university, students withafraid of the dark. It is more about taking the time in DEC diplomas from a technical program can continuethe moment to pause and consider that graduation is their studies at a university for higher qualification.about more than getting a piece of paper. Its a ticket to The purpose of a separate collegiate education level issomeplace special. PARTNER WITH US FOR YOUR FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS!Our winning products and services include: MagazinesShow GuidesProfilesE-NewslettersCustom Content MarketingDirectoriesEventsBuyers GuidesVideoSponsorship Sales Contact Robert Thompson 1.647.494.4229 www.mediaedge.ca32indspiration2022'