Anishinabek Educational Institute celebrates 25 years
By Marci Becking
LONDON, Ont. — Thousands of students have graduated from the Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) in the 25 years since its doors opened in 1994.
Some 100 people including AEI staff, founders, past students, Anishinabek Chiefs and citizens celebrated AEI’s success at a dinner at the Best Western Stoneridge in London on Nov. 5.
Dr. Ron Common, president of Sault College, is one of the founding members of AEI. He fondly remembers other founding members, Merle Peghamagahbow, Peter Akewenzie and Lewis Debassige, who have now passed into the Spirit World. He also remembers the first health program AEI partnership with Cambrian College.
“The Anishinabek Educational Institute offered the first Anishinaabe course for principals. We
were also the first institute to have a satellite office,” said Common. “Where do we go next with AEI? It should become a university with provincially-recognized degrees.”
He attributes the success of AEI to the continuity of people.
“People who are committed to AEI. People like Glenda St. Amour,” he said. “There was no point in having our own institute if it wasn’t the infusion of culture. There is a family spirit with AEI.”
Southwest Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Joe Miskokomon was Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation back in the early 1990s when the Union of Ontario Indians moved from Toronto to Nipissing First Nation. The current head office was built with AEI in mind.
“What sets the Anishinabek Educational Institute apart is that it’s really student-focused,” said Miskokomon. “The quality of education delivery toward students success is the primary goal.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare said that there are over 100 students enrolled at the Nipissing and Munsee Delaware campuses.
“AEI delivers on-site programming at the Munsee Delaware and Nipissing First Nation sites,” said Grand Council Chief Hare. “There are community-based deliveries, on-site programming and blended deliveries all geared towards student success.”
Current AEI diploma programs offered include Native Community Worker – Traditional Healing Methods, Binoojiingyag Kinoomaadwin – Early Childhood Education, Practical Nursing and Social Service Worker. Certificate programs include: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, First Nation Child Welfare Advocate, Personal Support Worker, and Pre-Health Sciences.
Please visit www.aeipostsecondary.ca or call toll-free 1-800-334-3330 for more information.