Old Sun Community College facts for kids
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NA TO SA PI (Old Sun "to see", as in "gain insight")
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| Motto | empowering a nation through education |
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| Type | Tribal College |
| President | Maria Big Snake |
| Location |
P.O. Box 1250, Siksika T0J 3W0
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50°50′54″N 113°03′38″W / 50.8482°N 113.0605°W |
| Campus | urban/suburban reserve |
| Website | Official site: http://www.oldsuncollege.net |
Old Sun Community College is a special school run by and for First Nations people. It helps students from the Siksika Nation get a great education and job training right in Siksika, Canada. This college offers many different programs to help students learn new skills and prepare for their future.
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How the College Started
The main building of Old Sun Community College has a long history. From 1929 to 1971, it was a school for Blackfoot children. After that, from 1971 to 1976, it was part of another school called Mount Royal College.
In 1978, something important happened: Old Sun Community College became its own independent school. It was then run by the Blackfoot Band itself. The college was named to honor a respected leader, Chief Old Sun (1819–1897). He was a medicine man, a brave warrior, and a leader of one of the biggest groups in the Blackfoot Confederacy. In the Blackfoot language, his name, NA TO SA PI, means 'Sun Elder' or 'Sun Old Man'. It also means 'to see' or 'to gain insight', which is a perfect name for a place of learning!
Since the 1980s, Old Sun Community College has grown a lot. It started as a small program to help people improve their basic skills. Now, it offers many recognized courses, certificates, diplomas, and even degrees. It does this by working with other well-known colleges and universities, like the University of Calgary and Bow Valley College.
Learning Programs
At Old Sun Community College, students learn from professors who also teach at other universities and colleges. This means you get a high-quality education. Here are some of the exciting programs you can study:
- Adult Basic Education (ABE): Helps adults improve their reading, writing, and math skills.
- Academic Upgrading: For students who want to improve their grades or get ready for college.
- Bachelor of General Studies: A broad degree that covers many different subjects.
- Blackfoot Language Classes: A great way to learn and keep the Blackfoot language strong.
- Bow Valley College LPN Diploma Program: Training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
- University & College Preparation (UCEPP): Gets you ready for university or college life.
- University Outreach Programs: These programs bring university courses right to the college.
- University Studies Diploma (USD): A diploma that can help you transfer to a university.
- Master of Education Degree: For those who want to become teachers or work in education.
- Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) Program: This program helps you get credit for what you've already learned outside of school.
- Summer Programs: Fun and educational programs offered during the summer months.
Help with School Costs
Going to college can be expensive, but there's help available! The Government of Canada has a special tool called the Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool. It lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other ways to get money for school. These are offered by governments, universities, and different companies to help Aboriginal students go to college.
Working Together
Old Sun Community College is part of a group called the First Nation & Adult Higher Education Consortium. This group is non-profit, which means it doesn't try to make money. It's in Western Canada and helps its members work together. Their main goal is to make sure that First Nations people have full control over their own high-quality education.
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