Nearly half of Quebec’s Aboriginal people are under 25 years of age. The Aboriginal population is therefore very young and this influences the choices the communities make. Education, for example, is a very important issue.
Most Aboriginal children can go to elementary and high school in their community. Their first years of education are often taught in their native language. Then the children study in French or English. However, some Aboriginal youth must leave the community to study, sometimes at the end of high school for college or university. Many students find it very difficult to be away from their families, but also to be in a culture different from the one in which they grew up. That’s why there are mutual assistance groups and associations to help young people adapt and stay in school.
Because the mother tongue is not taught for very long at school, many Aboriginal people forget their language, which makes it harder for them to feel that they belong to their culture. There are a number of programs going on now to encourage them to continue speaking their language.