VISION STATEMENT

Enriching Canada by Advancing Aboriginal Achievement

MISSION STATEMENT

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's mission, working in partnership with Aboriginal, private and public sector stakeholders, is to promote, support and celebrate the achievement of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth to achieve their potential. To date the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $37-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 9,800 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. NAAF’s key initiatives include: The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (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; and 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. Over 32,000 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events to date nationwide.

The Foundation is the largest supporter of Aboriginal education outside of the federal government of Canada. Thanks to our many corporate and government partners, NAAF’s Education Program disburses approximately $3 million a year to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada. NAAF bursaries cover a comprehensive array of disciplines in three funding categories: Fine Arts and Professional Development including Cultural Projects; Health Careers; and Post Secondary Education. Application forms for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available on the website in March 2008.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) is Canada’s largest and most influential annual showcase of Aboriginal achievement. Each year, the NAAA celebrates the accomplishments of 14 recipients who are honoured in a dazzling gala that features Aboriginal entertainers. The awards show is later broadcast nationally. The NAAA instills pride in the Aboriginal community, dispels stereotypes and provides role models for Aboriginal youth.

Taking Pulse joins 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 Aboriginal youth and assisting them to obtain rewarding and productive careers through education. The first Taking Pulse program to be developed was Industry in the Classroom (ICC), followed by Rivers to Success. Industry in the Classroom is an interactive and informative classroom session that connects Aboriginal youth with information about career opportunities in growth industries.  To date ICC has delivered modules on the Railway, Transportation, Justice and Health industries, including a separate module on Inuit Health, to classrooms across Canada.  Rivers to Success is an exciting new initiative created to address the 70% school drop-out rate of Aboriginal youth.  The program is designed to inspire, motivate and facilitate the return to school of Aboriginal at-risk youth, ages 15-19.

Blueprint for the Future (BFF) is a series of one-day career fairs that give Aboriginal high school students valuable resources and information on career opportunities, while promoting education as being significant to labour market participation. At BFF, Aboriginal high school students learn about a range of job options in a venue where they can meet and speak with some of Canada's top corporate and Aboriginal business leaders.