Niagara College, Anishinabek Educational Institute renew partnership

Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Niagara College President Dan Patterson renew the Niagara College - Anishinabek Educational Institute's partnership on Dec. 11, 2015 in Niagara Falls.
Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Niagara College President Dan Patterson renew the Niagara College – Anishinabek Educational Institute’s partnership on Dec. 11, 2015 in Niagara Falls.

NIAGARA FALLS – Niagara College and the Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) have renewed a partnership aimed at providing high-quality academic programs for Anishinabek students.

The partnership, which has been renewed for a period of five years, will also improve access to programs for Anishinabek students, and student retention. It responds to the employment and training needs in Anishinabek communities and contributes to Anishinabek’s advancement towards self-governance, economic development and self-sufficiency.

“We’re extremely pleased to renew this important partnership, which will see Niagara College and Anishinabek Educational Institute pursue our shared goals of providing high quality academic programs, and meeting the economic needs of the communities we serve,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “This agreement builds on Niagara College’s longstanding commitment to Aboriginal education.”

For 2016, the partnership will include Niagara College’s Autism and Behavioural Sciences (Graduate Certificate) program to be delivered at AEI.

“The partnership agreement for Autism Behavioral Science between Niagara College and the Anishinabek Educational Institute will have a hugely positive impact in our First Nations,” said Murray Maracle, Anishinabek Educational Insitute director. “I applaud Niagara College for their commitment to better the lives of our community members especially in the high demand programs in the College system. Together we will close the educational gap for our First Nation students. ”

Under the terms of the partnership, Niagara College and AEI will work jointly on marketing and promotion and the development of curricula while exploring opportunities to share curricula, as well as staff and faculty development.

The Anishinabek Education Institute is mandated to provide quality education and training programs for First Nation Anishinabek communities. The Anishinabek Educational Institute provides community-based programming to better prepare the student for success in an ever changing world. It has campuses in Nipissing, Fort William and Munsee-Delaware.

Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Continuing Education courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit NiagaraCollege.ca.