ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to describe education at a distance for Native women, as it is organized at Athabasca University. The title reflects the fact that, at Athabasca University (AU), distance education for Native people is largely taken up by Native women. Given the aspirations of Native peoples to self-government, the demand for trained and professional Native personnel to staff administrative, educational, social services and health care positions on reserves has become urgent. Athabasca University, like many other post-secondary institutions throughout Canada, has responded to the challenge. Almost since the beginning of AU's relationship with Native Education Centres, staff and students at the centres have requested workshops on study skills. Their cultural values place great importance on the quality of one-to-one personal interaction and are equally strong for men and women. Over and above learning and study skills difficulties, Native women experience all the problems that affect any woman returning to school, and more.
