SUDBURY, ON – August 23, 2009 — Today the Métis Nation of Ontario and Collège Boréal signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at responding more effectively to the specific needs of the Métis people in the province. This agreement’s main objective is to enhance the professional integration of the Métis, respecting their cultural specificity and improving their access to services, programs and employment services offered by Collège Boréal.
The strategies implemented within the framework of this memorandum include an evaluation and augmentation of the opportunities available to the Métis in an effort to increase their participation in postsecondary education initiatives. An equally important priority has representatives from the Métis Nation participating actively in all phases of consultation and the development of Collège Boréal’s practices and policies with regard to aboriginal teaching.
Collège Boréal President, Denis Hubert, notes the importance of such a memorandum of understanding: “It is essential to improve conditions for the Métis people in order to improve the quality of life for all Ontarians. By enhancing the exposure of the Métis Nation to the various training opportunities available throughout the province, Collège Boréal hopes to include this important component of the cultural landscape and Ontario heritage on the threshold of the forecasted economic rebound.”
Gary Lipinski, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, anticipates positive results from this memorandum in the near future: “Partnerships like this one with Collège Boréal hold promise on many levels. MNO is pleased to work in partnership with Collège Boréal whose reputation and proven track record on student success and graduate employability is well established. By working together to build capacity within the Métis community will benefit the MNO, and bring our people and members of the Franco-Ontarian community closer together.”
As such, it is worth noting that part of the agreement includes an important component geared to exposing Collège Boréal’s staff and students to the history, the culture, the languages as well as the contributions and contemporary issues of the Métis people of Ontario.
About Collège Boréal:
Established in 1995, Collège Boréal is a French-language institution of postsecondary and skills training, that contributes to the growth and development of communities in Northern and Central-Southwestern Ontario. For seven consecutive years, it has had the highest graduation rate among the 24 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology in the province. Its graduate satisfaction rate is also the highest in the province for six of the last ten years according to the Key Performance Indicators published each year by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Collège Boréal is the first education sector representative officially designated by the Ontario government under the French Language Services Act.
The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language and heritage who played an instrumental role in shaping Canada, and who work tirelessly to share their culture, traditions and knowledge of the environment with fellow Canadians.
CONTACT:
Benoît Clément
Manager, Strategic Communications
Collège Boréal
705-560-6673, extension 1235
Jennifer St.Germain
Director of Education and Training
Métis Nation of Ontario
500 Old St. Patrick, Unit D
Ottawa, ON K1N 9G4
Phone: (613) 798-1488 ext. 101
Toll Free: (800) 263-4889
Fax: (613) 722-4225