Responding to Community Needs

When two organizations come together with one goal in mind, impactful and life-changing opportunities can present themselves.

In July, Cape Breton University (CBU) and Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey (MK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase post-secondary education access for Mi'kmaw people. As part of this agreement, 17 bursaries valued at $3000 each will be created for Mi'kmaw students who possess some previous post-secondary education and are interested in returning to their studies. The bursaries will be administered by MK and offered annually for the duration of the two-year pilot project.

"Indigenous education has been a significant part of CBU's history for decades and has helped CBU become Atlantic Canada's leader in Indigenous post-secondary education. This agreement with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey will provide financial support to mature Indigenous learners. This program is an important step to increase opportunities and make education more accessible to many Mi'kmaw students. Cape Breton University is very proud of the strong relationship we have with First Nation communities in Nova Scotia, and this agreement with MK will help to strengthen that bond," says David Dingwall, President & Vice-Chancellor, Cape Breton University.

The intended outcome of the Post-Secondary Education Assistance Initiative is to make admission to post-secondary education easier and more accessible to a greater number of students. Through this program, the hope is that there will be an increase in Mi'kmaw receiving post-secondary education. The program will create a bridge that will allow disqualified registered band members to access post-secondary funding for education that otherwise may not have the opportunity.

Nadine Bernard of Eskasoni was one of the first of 15 recipients for the first round of funding. "Thanks to MK Second Chance funding, I get to finally finish my degree before my kids put one on the wall. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity. I've secretly always wanted to be a part of all those CBU Alumni groups and events, and I plan to work hard to get my degree and all that comes with it." Nadine is pictured below with her three children and granddaughter.

"Programs such as the one CBU will be offering, allows our students to have a second chance to reach their goals. We have seen that students who are given access to second-chance funding are our success stories, and they come back stronger than ever. I am thrilled to hear that CBU is offering this program because I have benefited personally from a program like this and know the opportunities it can create," says Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny, BACS '99, and Board Chair of Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey. We invite you to watch the following video about the program: