CORNER BROOK, NL - College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Qalipu First Nation (Qalipu) have entered a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will see both parties collaborate on the delivery of new educational pathways, as well as community and business development initiatives.
Throughout the term of the MOU, the organizations will explore educational opportunities which will allow students to complete high school and transition into post-secondary education; build professional capacity in educational programming in health sciences, tourism, business development and environmental stewardship; and, explore mutually beneficial partnerships on applied research and innovation that lead to sustainable community and business development.
CNA President & CEO Bruce Hollett says the MOU is the culmination of years of formal and informal discussions between the two organizations.
“We have many common goals, so it is exciting to see the possibilities that we have in front of us for strengthening the Indigenous persons and communities in this province,” said Hollett. “College of the North Atlantic believes that post-secondary education and training is the foundation for any sustainable economy, and the directives outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding are fundamental to the growth of our province, to the success of today’s workers and employers, and even more so for the future generation who will lead this province and country.”
The MOU also states that CNA and Qalipu will investigate signing the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Education Protocol, which underscores the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities. CICan is the national and international representative of Canada’s publicly supported colleges.
Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu First Nation, said, “We are pleased to further our ongoing relationship with the College of the North Atlantic. Over the years, we have had thousands of students attending CNA, and we have worked together to create opportunities for youth through CNA’s Industry Engagement Unit and the Qalipu Youth Innovation Forum. Through today’s MOU, we reaffirm that partnership, and in doing so, hope to inspire many more of our young people to finish secondary school and pursue a higher education. Qalipu and CNA are also committing to work together to create more avenues for community and business development, and to create educational opportunities for Indigenous community members.”
Both CNA and Qalipu will have designated co-ordinators to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the MOU, as well as review and evaluate ongoing activities.
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For more information about the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Education Protocol, please visit: www.collegesinstitutes.ca/policyfocus/indigenous-learners/protocol.
Media Contacts:
Michelle Jesso
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-649-6407
Michelle.Jesso@cna.nl.ca
Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
709-634-5163
awhite@qalipu.ca