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NEW PROGRAM AT CAP FOR NATIVE STUDENTS
There's a new program on campus at Capilano College this fall, and
although its nerve centre is in a small room tucked away amidst the
classrooms of the North Campus, that program is already a vital part of
co 1 1eg e 1 I fe .
The College Achievement and Support Program (CASP)--modelled on a
successful program at Fraser Valley College--is a one year program aimed
at preparing Native students for university.

As well, CASP will make the

Native presence felt through programs and events offered for the entire
college community.

A Native lecture series, a Native Indian film festival,

and a Northwest Coast art exhibit are all now in the planning stages.
CASP is funded by the Department of Indian Affairs in cooperation
with the Squamish, Burrard, Sechelt, Mount Currie, and Anderson Lake Indian
Bands.

Students take a number of specially designed core courses in college

study and survival skills, and also enroll in some regular academic or
career classes.

In the spring, a career planning segment will give the

students the opportunity to explore different career directions, and at
the end of the one-ye~r program students will receive a certificate.
"We're excited about the program, 11 said Coordinator Terry Hood.
off to a great start.

11

lt 1 s

We've been encouraged by the initial response to the

program and the enthusiasm of the faculty, staff and administration."
CASP is designed both for recent high school graduates and for mature
Native students who are interested in returning for post-secondary education.
Although the program was not extensively advertised, there were thirty
applications for the twenty-five positions available this fall.
CASP's Coordinator comes to Capilano with an impressive background.
For six years Terry Hood was a coordinator for the Native Indian Teacher
cont .....

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Education Program at UBC, and hi,s other experience includes two years as
head of the alternate school run by the Squamish Indian Band and North
Vancouver School District, a stint with SFU's Native Teacher Education
program in Mount Currie, and involvement with the United Native Nations.
Hood estimates that last year at Capilano College there were six or
seven Native students in attendance.

This year, including the 25 in CASP,

he estimates that there are about thirty-eight.
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1 feel that this is a significant step, 11 said Hood.

"Capilano

College and the local Native community are both ready for this program.
CASP is an idea whose time has come. 11
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Contact:

W. Little

986-1911, local 323

This logo for the College Achievement and Support
Program (CASP) at Capilano College was designed by
Ben Pierre, a 16 year old native high school stude nt
from Sechelt.

His was the winning design in a

logo contest for the new program, which prepares
native Indian students for university.
- 30 Contact:

W. Little

986-1911, local 323