The intent of this project is to provide information on post-secondary education and to provide positive role modeling to Aboriginal youth enrolled in Junior/Senior High School and other youth programs. The overall goal is to motivate Aboriginal students, of all grades and ages, to consider pursuing a post-secondary education. The NAPI program has ambassadors from Mount Royal College, SAIT and University of Calgary who are available to visit the youth at conferences or are able to do small presentations as well. Their goal is to facilitate workshops, provide campus tours and to travel to Aboriginal career fairs. The NAPI Ambassadors are students enrolled in a post-secondary institution already mentioned. With that said they will vary in age, life experience and education. Youth can see that a post-secondary degree is never out of reach.

The NAPI presentations are not structured and rigid; instead they are geared towards the audience. With the ambassadors providing their own personalized stories on their own educational journey, they are better equipped to provide an electric presentation. The ambassadors touch on such topics as entrance requirements, the application process, programs, scholarships, support services, campus life and Aboriginal or First Nations student associations.

The NAPI Program could not run without the help of collaborative partners and sponsors. The collaborate effort of The Native Centre at the University of Calgary, Chinook Lodge at SAIT, the Aboriginal Education Program at Mount Royal College, the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District. These organizations are working towards a collective goal of Aboriginal youth obtaining post-secondary education. The program is sponsored by Canadian Heritage Multi-purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative and the Alberta Lottery Fund and runs untill July 2006.

To find out more information about the NAPI program contact Billy Gorrell, the Program Coordinator at (403) 210-9567.