MNO President Gary Lipinski and Niagara College President Dr. Dan Patterson
sign MOUOn September 30 in Welland the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Niagara College signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU is intended to strengthen and formalize the long-standing positive working relationship between MNO and Niagara College. This document establishes several key areas for collaboration and partnership including: increasing Métis participation in, and access to, Niagara programs and services, engaging in joint Métis research initiatives, and promoting Métis content across the curriculum. “Niagara College is the thirteenth post-secondary institution in the province,” stated MNO President Gary Lipinski, “to recognize and address the unique needs of Métis and to agree to work in partnership to ensure that programming offered at the College addresses those needs.”
The MOU with Niagara College is part of a larger relationship building process of bilateral partnerships with post-secondary institutions that includes an MOU signed between the MNO and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. According to President Lipinski, “this MOU is a significant achievement for the Métis people in Ontario because it demonstrates a commitment to forge a lasting relationship between post-secondary institutions and the MNO. The agreement with Niagara College builds on the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, which the province signed with the MNO over two years ago.”
Niagara College has a longstanding commitment to fostering leadership and development with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, and to advancing the understanding of Aboriginal cultures, heritage and languages within the College and broader communities.
“We’re very pleased to have citizens of the Métis Nations of Ontario as current standing members of our Aboriginal Education Management Circle, and as part of our growing population of students and graduates,” said Dr. Dan Patterson, President of Niagara College. “This agreement allows both institutions to work together as partners in the development and delivery of post-secondary education and training programs for Aboriginal students.”