Blue Quills University facts for kids
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University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills
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Blue Quills First Nations College logo
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Former names
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Blue Quills Education Centre, Blue Quills First Nations College |
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| Type | First Nations-controlled university |
| Established | 1971 |
| President | Sherri Chisan |
| Location |
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Alberta
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Canada
54°00′03″N 111°22′12″W / 54.0007°N 111.3699°W |
| Affiliations | ACCC, CCAA, AACTI, NAIIHL, FNAHLC |
The University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills (often called University nn Blue Quills) is a very special place in Canada. It was the first university in the country to be owned and run by First Nations people.
Seven different First Nation band governments work together to own this university. These are the Beaver Lake, Cold Lake, Frog Lake, Whitefish Lake, Heart Lake, Kehewin, and Saddle Lake First Nations.
Unlike most universities in Alberta, this one was set up by a federal law, not a provincial one. It started as an Indian residential school in the 1930s. In 1970, a peaceful protest led to it being taken over by community members. By 1971, it was fully controlled by Indigenous people. It officially became a university on September 1, 2015.
Blue Quills is part of important groups like the National Association of Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning. These groups help make sure that First Nations people have access to great education that they control themselves. The university also hosts a fun cultural camp every May.
Contents
History of Blue Quills
From Residential School to University
The University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills has a unique history. It was the first higher education school in Canada to be controlled and run by Indigenous people.
The main brick building was built in 1931. It operated as the Blue Quills Indian Residential School until 1970. In July 1970, community members peacefully took over the school. They wanted to control their own education.
Negotiations happened with Jean Chrétien, who was the Minister of Indian Affairs at the time. An agreement was signed on July 31, 1970. This agreement transferred the school's operations to the Native Education Council.
Opening as a College
The Blue Quills First Nation College (also known as the Blue Quills Education Centre) officially opened in September 1971. This was a huge step for Indigenous self-determination in education.
In November 2000, the college was officially recognized by the First Nations Accreditation Board. This meant its programs met high standards.
Becoming a University
In September 2015, the Blue Quills First Nation College became a full university. It was renamed University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. This new name includes words from both the Dene and Cree language. It shows the rich Indigenous cultures connected to the university.
Scholarships and Support
Helping Students Succeed
The University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills offers scholarships to help students. These scholarships are for Aboriginal and First Nations students. One example is the Theodore R. Campbell Scholarship. These scholarships help students pay for their education and achieve their goals.
See also
