Bachelor of education program launched at Northern Campus

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On Jan. 10, the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) Northern Campus in Prince Albert played host to the official launch of the Kistapinanihk education program, designed to provide northern residents with an opportunity to earn a bachelor of education-elementary degree without having to relocate to Regina or Saskatoon.

The Kistapinanihk program uses the same curriculum as is used at FNUC's main campus in Regina, but it offers students a chance to earn their degree without having to travel so far from home.

"The students are closer to their families and they can maintain their family relationships and community relationships," said Angelina Weenie, head of FNUC's Indian education department. "I always believe that we need to be right where the communities are, where the students are ... because it's really important for people to maintain their connection to their community. And bringing the university to the community is, you know, I think a way of doing that."

Offering the Kistapinanihk education program at the Prince Albert campus offers students the best of both worlds. They get to experience campus life, but on a smaller scale, with fewer people and a more personal approach, Weenie said.

The program had its actual start up in September when it welcomed its first intake of students, but an official launch of the Kistapinanihk was organized to help get the message out to the greater community that the program is up and running, Weenie explained

"The reason why I think it's important to announce this new program is because there's not enough information out there on us," Weenie said. "When I'm making my field placement requests, people have never heard of us. So we need to get the word out that we do have an elementary program."

She also wants to let people know about the diverse group of students the program has attracted. There are currently 24 students in the program, coming from a number of northern First Nation communities, including Canoe Lake, Red Earth, Beardy's and Okemasis, Pelican Narrows, Black Lake, Cumberland House, Pelican Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Yellowquill, Montreal Lake, James Smith, Fond du Lac, Mistawasis, Sandy Bay and Little Red. One student has even come to the program from Fort McMurray, Alta.

The students in the first intake are also diverse in terms of the languages they speak. The current crop of Kistapinanihk students includes individuals whose first language is Cree, some whose first language is Saulteaux and some whose first language is Dene.

The new education program was launched at the northern campus in response to the needs of Saskatchewan's northern communities, Weenie said. "They've been telling us for quite some time that we needed to have a program in Prince Albert."

The Kistapinanihk education program will be an ongoing offering at the northern campus, with a new intake of students entering the program every two years.

"We're very pleased with the numbers that we have," Weenie said. "Our program is growing and I'm pleased with the students and their commitment to becoming teachers."

For more information about the Indian education programs offered at FNUC go to the university Web site at www.firstnationsuniversity.ca.