The students are able to talk to teachers once a week and staff send them lessons on video. The system uses airmail for delivery of course materials and assignments. There are 1,800 students on-line but they are only able to talk to each other and Sioux Lookout. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is a partner in this program and provided the twenty-five 286 computers. The advantages of the CMC program is that students choose their own times, and they have access to education which would not otherwise be possible from their home base.
Students are creative in repairing equipment and persevere to fix any problems.
She gave the moving and amusing example of a student trying to work by kerosene and activate the solar calculator with a flashlight. Ms. Fiddler noted that the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People had identified the need for a distance university and she was encouraged by the possibility of that initiative. She is involved in connecting Aboriginal teachers on-line and had 45 Aboriginal educators connected to date. Ms. Fiddler referred to the challenges she faced getting her Home Economics degree in University of Western Ontario. She recalled that the toughest part of her education was being away from her family.