The Lheidli T’enneh and University of Northern BC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the educational success of the First Nation’s students at UNBC.
This initiative involves comprehensive financial support and academic support.
The agreement builds on a 2019 pilot agreement, and the Lheidli T’enneh Tuition Initiative ensures eligible students have access to post-secondary education at UNBC at no cost.
The MOU formalizes a tuition waiver from the University in concert with substantial financial support from the First Nation to cover student needs such as living expenses, course-related fees, textbooks and tutoring services.
“This initiative open pathways and empowers Lheidli T’enneh students to pursue educational goals by addressing the financial barriers before them, offering tools to support their success,” said Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan.
“By keeping our collective responsibility to support the academic success of Indigenous students, we continue walking the long road to Reconciliation together. Our ongoing partnership with UNBC is crucial to to ensuring that all voices and perspectives are considered as we work together to ignite the next generation of Indigenous leaders in British Columbia, Canada and globally.”
Logan noted there’s work being done to get a similar agreement started with the College of New Caledonia, but this is the first agreement.
UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne said there’s also a hope to sign similar MOUs with other Northern First Nations.
“I see each of those agreements as different,” he said.
“I think each of the First Nations have their own needs, and so this again, it’s not a tick the box, here’s an agreement, here’s a tuition waiver, it’s more like what are the needs for your community and how can we support people that would want to come to post secondary.”
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