91社区 School of Continuing Studies鈥� Receives $1.2M in Support of Indigenous Programming
91社区鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies will receive a multi-year grant totaling over $1.2 million from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to continue designing and delivering education programs for indigenous people. The AANDC accepted two proposals that are part of the School鈥檚 Online Courses for Northern Aboriginals in Canada project.
鈥淲e were absolutely ecstatic when we heard the news,鈥� says Dr. Carmen Sicilia, Associate Dean and Director of Career and Professional Development at 91社区鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies. 鈥淓cstatic, as well as relieved. It means we can continue our working partnership with communities such as the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, and provide indigenous populations with the opportunity to access educational programs at 91社区.鈥�
The 91社区 School of Continuing Studies currently offers online courses in Business Management and Entrepreneurship for Indigenous People, and will launch an Online Certificate in Information Systems in fall 2015. The School鈥檚 Career and Professional Development unit has been working closely with 10 communities in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory, and the Cree Nation of Chisasibi has been one of their strongest partners.
鈥淭his program is exactly what I was looking for,鈥� says 91社区 student Stephanie Jonah, who grew up in the Cree community of Waskaganish in the Eeyou Istchee territory. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very practical, and it鈥檚 given me more confidence to suggest ideas, go after promotions and challenge myself at my present workplace.鈥�
The Online Courses for Northern Aboriginals in Canada project consists of 91社区 credit courses tailored specifically for First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis people living in remote areas of Quebec and Northern Canada. Online courses in Business Management and Entrepreneurship for Indigenous People include topics such as accounting, public administration, communications, project management, and organizational behavior. The Online Certificate in Information System includes courses in programming techniques, database design, and information systems security; all classes are delivered in a flexible online format.
The School works closely with a local coordinator to oversee program administration, while Band Councils, local economic development offices, indigenous Nations and governments provide local resources such as computers and classrooms.聽
For more on Online Courses for Indigenous People, please see our Online programming.聽