St Thomas University Student Anna-Leah Simon, who is a member of Elsipogtog First Nation, created a video article about the concerns around the lack of stable funding for STU’s Aotiitj program. Simon explains that Aotiitj is a two-year university program that helps members of Elsipogtog to begin their university studies while staying in the community. Through interviews with other students, Simon shows how Aotiitj has helped members of the First Nation to pursue higher ed. However, the program is funded by the Indigenous Services Canada Post-Secondary Partnerships Program, which STU Aotiitj Coordinator Rob LeBlanc says has had its funding cut or reduced by Indigenous Services Canada. LeBlanc calls for Indigenous Services Canada to provide stable annual funding to the program.
