Celebrating Indigenous education expansion partnership in Yorkton
- EFN Staff | August 21, 2015
The presidents of the First Nations University of Canada and Parkland College have signed a partnership for delivery of a four-year Bachelor of Indigenous Education program at Parkland College’s Yorkton Campus. This delivery is based on the successful partnership started in 2012 at Parkland College’s Fort Qu’Appelle Campus.
“We are delighted to partner once again with Parkland College so that we can help learners pursue their academic dreams without requiring major upheaval from their home community. Delivering our program in Yorkton and Fort Qu’Appelle along with our other community- based programs means that our students can concentrate on thriving in their studies and not surviving in a new city,” stated Dr. Mark Dockstator, President, First Nations University of Canada. “We are grateful for the support of our federated partner, the University of Regina, and in particular, the Faculty of Education to render this opportunity a reality.”
The Bachelor of Indigenous Education program goal is to produce teachers who can promote First Nations control of First Nations education by developing and implementing First Nations’ content. Graduates are prepared to work within the framework of the Saskatchewan Core Curriculum. While the emphasis of the program is on Language Arts, specializations may be pursued in Indigenous Languages, First Nations Language Instructors’ Certificate, Indian Arts and Indigenous Studies.
There are 28 students registered for this fall’s program and the program is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
“This expansion brings more access to a complete post-secondary education right here in the Parkland region,” said Parkland College President Dwayne Reeve. “We are happy to build on our partnership with First Nations University of Canada and to make a difference in the lives of learners in the Yorkton area.”