PURPOSE

The purpose of the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of British Columbia (AAESBC) is to support Aboriginal agriculture by building agricultural capacity within the First Nations.

1. To advance education in the fields of agricultural practice, science, technology and business among members of First Nations communities in Canada, and other students;
   
   To achieve this purpose, the Society will establish an agricultural education facility in Kamloops, British Columbia. From the “Education Centre” the Society will offer a variety of courses and training programs intended to provide students with theoretical understanding and practical experience in all aspects of agriculture in British Columbia. Areas of teaching and study will include animal husbandry, organic productions, greenhouse operations, biology, chemistry, and agricultural business skills. The Society will co-operate with and deliver curriculum and programs from established educational institutes such as Olds College and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and over time will develop its own curriculum and technical diploma programs.
   
   The Education Centre will have classroom facilities and dormitories, as well as space for students to obtain experience with the operation and maintenance of agricultural equipment. There will be adjoining agricultural land that will be used for demonstration ad practice of agricultural techniques, as well as experimentation and research.
   
   Among Canada’s Aboriginal communities there is an untapped potential to significantly increase agricultural production. In many cases good quality agricultural lands is not being utilized productively. A reason for this is that the level of knowledge of agricultural practices, science and business is generally inadequate. The Society wants to address this need by providing good quality and accessible education and training that will result in more successful aboriginal farms and in turn increased employment and more prosperous, self-reliant and healthy communities.
   
   
2. To promote agriculture by First Nations communities and Aboriginal producers across Canada.
   
   To achieve this purpose the Society is only undertaking charitable activities as described in the case law. The Society is considering the following once the Education Centre is well established:
   
   
   • Exhibitions of Aboriginal agricultural produce to showcase it to the public, with competitions and prizes to encourage innovation.
   • The creation of standards for aboriginal agricultural products to encourage excellence.
   • Research into new agricultural developments to be published to assist Aboriginal producers to stay current in their fields.
     
   • Research into the state of Aboriginal agriculture in North America in order to better understand challenges, opportunities and changes.