ULaval, FNEC partner to create Indigenous university centre

The Université Laval and the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) have signed an agreement to create a business plan for Québec’s first Indigenous university centre. The Maison des savoirs initiative will take a holistic approach to education and provide a lifelong continuum of learning inspired by First Nations values, cultures, and languages. The university centre, supported by ULaval, will be responsible for every aspect of education to ensure that the languages, cultures, worldviews, and knowledge of Indigenous peoples are respected. “With the support of its member communities, FNEC is committed to pursuing its mission of bringing education entirely under the control of the First Nations,” said FNEC Director General Denis Gros-Louis. “We are confident that the business plan … will meet the real educational and training needs of our communities while drawing on and realizing the full potential of First Nations people.” ULaval also plans to double its number of Indigenous students thanks to a $15M donation from the Mastercard Foundation. The university will also use the funds to create new scholarships, programs of study, and safe spaces for Indigenous students using input from Indigenous youth and local Indigenous communities.

Newswire | Penticton Herald