Post-secondary education has become more accessible to the Lheidli T’enneh Nation in the north.
Partnered with UNBC, they have developed a new partnership that will support Lheidli students in gaining access to post-secondary education without having to worry about the cost of tuition, a direct response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
The two parties signed an Agreement today (Wednesday) that outlines the partnership, believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. It provides two options for members of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation to attend UNBC at no cost to the student. The University’s largest, central campus in Prince George is located on Lheidli T’enneh territory.
“This new Agreement with UNBC is a specific example of what reconciliation looks like,” Said Chief Clay Pountney. “It describes a new partnership that requires investments from both parties to benefit Lheidli students. I’m not aware of a similar partnership anywhere in Canada. This is a win-win for both ourselves and UNBC. It also addresses a common misunderstanding in Canada that all Indigenous people have unlimited access to post-secondary education, which simply isn’t the case. Our partnership with UNBC creates new post-secondary opportunities for our students and this will help our Nation move forward.”
According to Pountney, this is the second Agreement the First Nation has signed with UNBC. The first was signed in 2016 and described the governance of their relationship with UNBC. A new sign at the entry to the campus on University Way was unveiled to celebrate the relationship.
The first program, called the Lheidli T’enneh Northern Promise Partnership Program, provides candidates who meet UNBC admission requirements with the funding they need to achieve an undergraduate degree at UNBC. The University provides full-tuition support for a full undergraduate degree, and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation will cover funding to support student needs such as living expenses, including housing, food, and transportation, fees (other than tuition), textbooks, and tutoring.
The second program, called The Lheidli T’enneh Northern Promise Partnership Transition Program, is available to Lheidli T’enneh identified students who do not meet the normal admission requirements for UNBC entrance, yet demonstrate strong academic promise, or wish a transition experience from high school or college to University. UNBC will provide full tuition support and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation will cover funding to support student needs.
While being viewed as a meaningful response to the Calls to Action, the programs also reflect goals set forth by the United Nations in that body’s Sustainable Development Goals, specifically related to quality education. That document repeatedly references equitable access and opportunity and states specifically that society strives to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for indigenous peoples.
Lheidli T’enneh members interested in learning more should contact the Band office to discuss eligibility.
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