Have your say on the delivery of an Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences diploma program developed in partnership with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation

September 27, 2023

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input on a post-secondary education institution application to deliver a diploma-granting program in the territory. Trent University is applying to provide an Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences diploma program within the Northwest Territories starting in Fall 2023.

The program – developed in partnership with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation – incorporates Dene ways of knowing and being and course work involving Dene land use protocols, Dene land stewardship practices, and traditional Dene land navigation skills.

The diploma will be jointly offered by the Trent University School of the Environment and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, with links to the Indigenous Environmental Studies/Sciences degree program.

In December 2022, the Northwest Territories Post-Secondary Education Act and Regulations came into force as part of the GNWT’s work to build a comprehensive post-secondary education system. Within the system, when an institution wishes to provide a post-secondary education program in the territory, they submit an application which is posted for 15 business days for public and existing NWT post-secondary institution review.

Feedback will be collected until October 20, 2023. More information is available on the GNWT’s engagement website.

For media requests, please contact:

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Government of the Northwest Territories

ecepublicaffairs@gov.nt.ca

NT4