June 21, 2004 The Honourable Diane McGifford Minister of Advanced Education and Training 156 Legislative Building Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 Dear Minister McGifford, I am pleased to submit Bringing Together the Past, Present and Future: Building a System of Post-Secondary Education in Northern Manitoba, a Five Year Strategic Plan for the University College of the North as the final report for the work of the UCN Implementation Team. Many people provided support to the UCN Implementation Team, including the members of the Steering Committee, the Elders’ Consultations, the Focus Groups, the people we met during presentations, the staff of Keewatin Community College and Inter-Universities North, KCC President Tony Bos as well as many others in the north. The senior staff of Advanced Education and Training, and other individuals within government have also been a support to the Team in many ways. There is still much to be done. The work is just beginning for the innovation and creativity to be put to use, to implement the visions and dreams of many people. The future is where the challenge will be. With continued cooperation and support, all those dreams of meeting the post-secondary educational needs of northern people, especially the young people, can be met. In working together we can do so much. Yours Sincerely, Don Robertson Chairperson, University College of the North Implementation Team University College of the North Implementation Team Don Robertson, Chair Veronica Dyck, Manager John Burelle Peter Geller Gina Guiboche Heather McRae Traci Reid University College of the North Steering Committee Kathleen Leary, Chair Shirley Ducharme Edwin Jebb Lorne Keeper Bob MacGillvary Sharon McKay Ana Rodrigues Blaine Veitch Derrick Wainio Doris Young University College of the North Elders’ Consultation Mabel Bignell Ted Chartrand Jack Chubb William Dumas Larry Duncan Maggie Flett Nicholas Halcrow Martha Jonasson Jo Lutley John Martin Stella Neff Betty Solomon Madeleine Spence Wellington Spence Ted Wilson Emma Jane Wood John Phillip Burelle May 1949 - August 2004 The University College of the North Implementation Team dedicates this report, Bringing Together the Past, Present and Future: Building a System of Post- Secondary Education in Northern Manitoba to our colleague and friend John P. Burelle. John’s dedication and commitment to furthering the University College of the North was evident throughout the year we were together and demonstrated in many ways. We are all eternally grateful for the time we spent with this gifted man. His quiet passion to making a difference in all levels of Aboriginal Education was a guiding presence that will be sadly missed in our community. Travel safe, dear friend TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 1. Background 1.1 Guiding Principles 4 1.2 UCN Implementation Team Process 5 1.4 Environmental Scan 8 2. Evolution of University College of the North 11 3. Voices of Wisdom and Experience: Elders and UCN 13 4. Legislation and Governance 4.1 Legislation: University College of the North Act 15 4.2 Governance 15 4.3 Organizational Structure of UCN 17 5. Infrastructure for UCN 5.1 UCN Facilities: Thompson and The Pas 19 5.2 Community-based Facilities 20 5.3 Electronic Infrastructure 21 5.4 Priority Infrastructure Development: UCN Thompson Campus 23 5.5 Capital Plan Development 25 6. Academic Plan I: Teaching and Learning at UCN 6.1 Existing Programs 26 6.2 Development of Degree Programming 30 6.3 First Year Program at UCN 34 6.4 International Programs and UCN 35 7. Academic Plan II: Research and Centre Development 7.1 UCN Research Strategy 37 7.2 Centre for Aboriginal Studies and Research 38 7.3 Centre for Aboriginal Languages 41 7.4 Northern Forest Diversification Centre 43 7.5 Aboriginal Justice Institute 43 7.6 School of Fine Arts 44 8. Academic Plan III: Student Services and Supports 8.1. Student Services Design Layout 45 8.2 Function of Student Services 46 8.3 Recruitment, Assessment, Retention 46 8.4 Daycare Services 48 9. Academic Plan IV: UCN Library 50 10. Partnerships 10.1 Academic Partnerships with Post-Secondary Education Institutions 52 10.2 Partnerships with K-S4 Education Providers 53 10.3 Partnerships with Potential Employers 54 11. Community-Based Education and the UCN Campus System 55 12. Staff Recruitment and Development 12.1 Promotion of Aboriginal and Northern Doctoral Studies Graduates 56 12.2 Professional Development Opportunities for Existing Staff 57 13. Projected Expenditures for UCN Development 59 14. Evaluating Success 61 15. Conclusion: Bringing Together the Past, Present and Future 62 Tables Following 62 Table I: Northern Manitoba Student Enrolments Table II: UCN Academic Plan: Program Delivery and Development Table III: UCN Student Paths Executive Summary This Five Year Strategic Plan sets forth a series of strategic priorities for the University College of the North (UCN). As a “university college" UCN will offer a comprehensive range of post-secondary education in northern Manitoba, including developmental, trade, career, technical and undergraduate degree programs. This will allow UCN to contribute to student success by providing an integrated approach to programming, including developing laddering opportunities (where students will be able to move in increments from the lowest to the highest program level without backtracking). As a university college, UCN will engage in research and scholarly activity, tying this to the social and economic development of northern Manitoba and to the support of excellence in teaching. Additionally, UCN and its graduates will have the potential to make a significant contribution to Canadian society and internationally. In order for the University College of the North to reach its full potential, the Honourable Diane McGifford, Minister of Manitoba Advanced Education and Training established the UCN Implementation Team to provide guidance and leadership in the planning and development of UCN. Throughout the Implementation Process, the development of these strategic priorities was guided by northern expertise, incorporating the input of the UCN Steering Committee, Elders’ Consultations, Focus Groups, and a northern UCN Symposium. This Strategic Plan is a multi-purpose document. First, it documents a brief history of the people, organizations, and events that catalyzed movement towards a comprehensive post-secondary institution for Aboriginal and northern peoples. Second, it underlines the importance of process – UCN is built on a foundation that stresses community participation, diversity, inclusiveness, respect, and understanding. Third, the Strategic Plan represents an effort to compare local, national, and international post- secondary institutions to determine their strengths and relevancy to Aboriginal and northern Manitobans. Fourth, in setting out a strategic direction for the University College of the North, it allows for the consideration of the financial implications of UCN’s development. The starting point for the establishment of UCN is the University College of the North Act. A blending of Manitoba college and university legislation, the Act sets out UCN’s mandate and purpose as a comprehensive post-secondary educational institution serving the region of northern Manitoba. It establishes a bicameral governing structure, with a Governing Council responsible for managing the affairs of UCN and a Learning Council responsible for academic matters. In addition, a Council of Elders will be established as an advisory body promoting an environment within UCN that respects and embraces Aboriginal cultures and values and supports the role of Elders. In order for post-secondary education in northern Manitoba to reach its potential, there is a need for infrastructure development. This is especially the case in Thompson, which will provide programming and services as a Regional Campus. The development of a UCN Thompson Campus is considered the priority for UCN capital development. 1 Other areas identified relate to daycare and student housing; potential Community- based Campus facilities as UCN programming grows; and the need for continuing investments in electronic infrastructure to keep pace with opportunities provided in the area of learning technologies. Pursuing partnerships is seen as a key strategy for the successful implementation of UCN’s capital plan. As a learner-centred institution, teaching and learning is the core of UCN activities. A Five Year Academic Plan is presented which builds on the current range of Keewatin Community College developmental, certificate and diploma programs while considering the mandate of UCN as a degree-granting institution. New program development highlights include an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal and Northern Studies (including a focus in Aboriginal Languages), which will lead into related BA major offerings; an innovative First Year Program that recognizes and acknowledges the diverse needs of UCN learners; and the phase-in of a northern Manitoba teacher education program to be developed and delivered by UCN. The Academic Plan also recognizes the need for UCN to work along with existing post-secondary program deliverers in the north as UCN builds its programming capacity. As a university college, UCN will need to develop a research strategy, building on the existing strengths of faculty as well as looking towards developing research capacity within UCN. In this regard, the development of Centres of Excellence – the Centre for Aboriginal Studies and Research, the Centre for