Conversations That Matter - Ep 73 - Sid Katz - Dogwood 25

Episode 73

Sid Katz - Dogwood 25

A helping hand to inner city indigenous students.

Conversations That Matter features Sid Katz the co-founder of Dogwood 25 and after school program for inner city indigenous students designed ensure they graduate from high-school, “in the Lower Mainland the graduation rate is at least 20% lower than the graduation rate of non-Aboriginal children.”

Together with former Premier of B.C. Mike Harcourt, Dogwood-25 was created to ensure First Nations youth are given the education and self confidence they require to realize their full potential. Katz points, “energy-based companies, are looking for Aboriginal workers and can't find qualified workers”

Dogwood refers to BC’s High School graduation certificate, the obtaining of which is at the core of the program. Katz says, “ we want young Aboriginal students to see what the possibilities are and move towards them. And ultimately it comes to academics, pushing, being pushed, really is the best way to do it. And the comfort zone has to be there as well. So, for Aboriginal children, why you're there and what you intend to accomplish and what is that incredible job at the other end of the line?”

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

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