Métis Nation of Ontario Signs Educational Partnership with Lakehead University

L-R: Metis Nation of Ontario President Gary Lipinski signs MOU with Lakehead President Brian Stevenson

(September 8, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Lakehead University signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Lakehead University Thunder Bay campus.

The MOU strengthens and formalizes the long-standing positive working relationship between MNO and Lakehead University. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes several key areas for collaboration and partnership including:

• increasing Métis participation in, and access to, Lakehead programs and services
• engaging in joint Métis research initiatives
• promoting Métis content across the curriculum
• ongoing involvement in the development and implementation of the Faculty of Law
  

MNO President Gary Lipinski said "Lakehead University is the tenth postsecondary institution in the province to recognize and address the unique needs of Métis and to agree to work in partnership to ensure that programming offered at the University addresses those needs."

The MOU with Lakehead University is part of a larger relationship building process of bilateral partnerships with postsecondary 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 postsecondary institutions and the MNO Education and Training branch. The agreement with Lakehead University builds on the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, which the province signed with the MNO over two years ago."

Lakehead University has a longstanding commitment to fostering leadership and development with Aboriginal students, and advancing the understanding of Aboriginal cultures, heritage, and languages within the University and broader communities.

"We are justifiably proud of Lakehead's history in engaging Métis students but we must do more, especially in expanding opportunities, increasing bursaries, and expanding research," says Lakehead University President Dr. Brian Stevenson. "The MNO's active support for Lakehead's recent campaign for a faculty of law shows we can best accomplish this through collaboration and partnership. This memorandum is one more step on a long journey."

" 30 "

Media: For more information or to schedule interviews please contact:

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

About Métis Nation of Ontario
The MNO democratically represents Métis people and Métis communities in Ontario through a province-wide governance structure at the local, regional and provincial levels. The MNO has Framework Agreements with the province of Ontario, several government ministries and post-secondary institutions as well as with resource companies. The MNO provides a wide array of services to its over 14,000 citizens across the province in the areas of education, training, health and housing. For more information on the MNO visit www.metisnation.org