Confederation College and Fort William First Nation Create Opportunities for Indigenous Learners

THUNDER BAY, ON, November 9, 2016 – Representatives from Confederation College and Fort William First Nation (FWFN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today. The MOU will build on the partners’ existing relationship to create new and significant opportunities for Indigenous learners in the First Nation and beyond.

Specifically, the MOU formalizes ongoing efforts to offer community-based education and training in a blended format delivered on the First Nation with programming and support from Confederation College.

“The project that is being created here in Fort William First Nation is just the beginning stage of meaningful opportunities for our people,” said Chief Peter Collins. “It is a chance for those who have fallen through the cracks of the traditional education system to set goals, encouraging them to pursue post-secondary education and trades training. I believe strongly that education is the foundation to build positive life changes for themselves and their families. At FWFN we look forward to working alongside Confederation College in this important endeavour.”

“This latest agreement will strengthen our existing partnership with Fort William First Nation to create additional pathways and supports for Indigenous learners,” said Jim Madder, President of Confederation College. “We will continue to bring our educational opportunities to their home communities and work together to provide a customized learning experience to meet the unique needs of Indigenous students, while also working to close a growing skills gap in our region.”

Both parties will be identifying and pursuing mutually-beneficial opportunities and partnerships to help address the education and training needs of FWFN members and will enhance communications to improve labour market participation. The agreement will also facilitate additional consultation and participation from FWFN members during College policy development in the area of Indigenous education, as well as encourage the establishment of additional scholarships and bursaries for FWFN students pursuing post-secondary education, particularly in the area of skilled trades.

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Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has eight regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa.

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,800 combined full and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 805 full and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $411.2 million annually. For more information, please visit www.confederationcollege.ca.

The Fort William First Nation is located on the western end of Lake Superior adjacent to the city of Thunder Bay and is signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. For more information, please visit www.fwfn.com.

For more information, please contact:

CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
Ashleigh Quarrell, Media & Communications Officer
Ph: (807) 475-6565, Cell: (807) 632-5296, Email: aquarrel@confederationcollege.ca

FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION
Kristy Boucher, Communications Officer & Executive Assistant to the Office of the Chief
Ph: (807) 623-9543 ext. 217, Email: kristyboucher@fwfn.com

NT5