University of Calgary
Native Centre
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University connects with Aboriginal youth across AlbertaSomeone once said, "Success is a journey not a destination." The Native Centre's Native Ambassador Post-secondary Initiative (N.A.P.I.) program is a true testament to that statement.This leading-edge program was created in 2005, with a mission to motivate Aboriginal students to consider pursuing post-secondary education. Since then, the program has experienced remarkable success. "The N.A.P.I. Ambassador Program is designed to provide the opportunity for youth to explore their inner strengths, values, and vision for the future," says Shawna Cunningham, director, The Native Centre. 2008-2009 was an outstanding year for the N.A.P.I. Ambassador Program. Not only did this Aboriginal youth outreach program win the Mayor's Excellence Award in January 2008, by the end of August 2009 it connected with over 2,600 Aboriginal youth from across Alberta. "It feels good knowing that I am playing a part in helping students continue on with their education in a post-secondary setting," says Mitchell Dixon, Senior N.A.P.I. Ambassador. "We take pride in knowing that the program is run by the youth for the youth." Currently sponsored by Canada Heritage, TransCanada Pipelines, NEXEN and EnCana, the N.A.P.I. Program hires and trains students from the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and SAIT as Ambassadors. The program is piloting its Level II: Team Leadership modules and is getting set to launch Level III: Community Leadership modules in the 2011. The growth, development, and impact of the Native Ambassador Post-secondary Initiative has been extremely positive for Aboriginal youth development in the community; student engagement and leadership development for post-secondary students; and community engagement for Student and Enrolment Services at the University of Calgary. "The Calgary Board of Education's (CBE) Aboriginal Education Team has made valuable use of the program and the much needed support and guidance that it offers to our students," says Lori Pritchard, System Assistant Principal, Aboriginal Education, CBE. "This work can not continue without the support of the N.A.P.I. program." The N.A.P.I. Program continues to embrace the empowerment and social mobilization of the Aboriginal youth population in Western Canada through youth development, knowledge, and leadership training. For more information on N.A.P.I. please visit, www.ucalgary.ca/nativecr/napi 
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March 12, 2010