Aboriginal Community Builds Partnership with Atlantic Universities

As Atlantic Provinces look for more skilled workers to live out east, the local First Nations community wants them to look no further.

Last week a historic Memorandum of Understanding was signed that will help aboriginal students study and work in Atlantic provinces.

The agreement was signed between the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (APCFNC) and the 12 universities in the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AAEDIRP).

“This agreement is a demonstration of the universities commitment to Aboriginal progress in the area of research and knowledge-building and will help further the transformation from dependence to self-determination for our people,” said APCFNC Co-Chair, Chief Morley Googoo.

“With this partnership, our current relationships will be nurtured and pave the way for a long-term partnership with mutual benefits for the universities as well as Atlantic Aboriginal communities.”

The agreement is being seen as the first step to effectively removing the barriers that have traditionally kept aboriginal students from pursuing post-secondary education.

“It is such a great pleasure for me to represent my colleagues from across the AAU in the signing of this MOU,” said Robert Campbell, President of Mount Allison University and the Chair of the Association of Atlantic Universities.

“Our commitment today toward greater collaboration and cooperation will help ensure the future economic success of First Nations communities across the region.”