ST. PAUL - Earlier this month, the Government of Alberta announced one-time funding to help First Nations colleges set themselves up for online course delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One local post-secondary institute is happy to be on the list of recipients.
Colleges will receive $100,000 each, for a total of $500,000 being given province-wide. University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills, located just outside St. Paul, is among the five post-secondary institutions that will receive funding.
"The grant will address technology and Wi-Fi access, support online programming development and delivery, and assist with improved cleaning protocols to meet COVID-19 standards," according to the Government of Alberta.
"We are just now finalizing our plans for the fall term with health and safety as our top priorities," says Sherri Chisan, president of Blue Quills. "We are working out the details of having some students on campus where class sizes permit, following appropriate protocols and traffic flows within the buildings."
The provincial funds are going to help the university move forward with the 2020/21/21 school year.
"This additional funding will certainly help us address issues that have arisen with the pandemic," says Chisan. "The funds will primarily be used for additional sanitizing, as well as training, equipment and Internet service to support the additional requirements of delivering online classes."
While the situation isn't ideal and plans have been adjusted, Blue Quills is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
"We are grateful to our ancestors for the vision they articulated that continues to guide us – land, language, ceremony, relationships," says Chisan.
The school continues to admit new students and looks forward to welcoming back the continuing students. Online classes will make Blue Quills more accessible than ever before, says Chisan.
The university is going to be offering a Health Care Aide program in January, and Chisan encourages potential students to apply.
Unfortunately, a number of factors related to the pandemic have meant that Blue Quills will not be offering the Camp Life Training program this fall, "but we will work throughout this year to explore the potential to offer a variety of trades programs in the future," says Chisan.
“First Nations colleges are cornerstones of their communities and we need to ensure they can continue to provide valuable and effective learning opportunities for their students, despite these unprecedented times," says Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education, in a provincial media release.
“Knowing students will have the access they need to continue their education makes me optimistic for their future and their communities," adds Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.
There are five First Nations colleges in Alberta, including: Maskwacis Cultural College, Old Sun Community College, Red Crow Community College, Yellowhead Tribal College, and Blue Quills.
