For Immediate Release
(August 26, 2022)
The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council is excited to announce the launch of our new Learning Hub based out of our Head Office in Pinaymootang First Nation. A ribbon cutting ceremony and feast was held on Aug. 25 to celebrate the grand opening. An eagle circling overhead during our outdoor ceremonies provided additional blessings to the event.
The Learning Hub is the first in a series of Hubs that will be established throughout the province, with the goal of creating opportunities for Indigenous students to access post-secondary education in their home communities.
The IRTC Learning Hub is equipped with flexible learning space and technology to help students learn in-person and remotely. The Hub is outfitted with laptops, satellite internet, a multi-media mobile cart, and furniture that can be arranged into several configurations to allow for different learning and teaching scenarios.
This Hub is made possible thanks to a new partnership forged in October 2021, between the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Manitoba, and with the support of the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint partners, which includes all of the major post-secondary institutions in Manitoba.
IRTC Board Chairman, Chief Cornell McLean says, “We are proud to host Manitoba’s first Learning Hub and to have the ability to provide our membership post-secondary opportunities without them having to leave their communities and in settings that meet their needs. This is long overdue”.
IRTC CEO, Karl Zadnik adds, “the students will have access to tutoring services, elder support and peer mentorship, to support their learning and career planning goals. Programs offered will be prioritized based on local needs with the overall objective being to create self-sustaining communities. Some of the first students benefitting from the Learning Hub are taking their Bachelor of Education through University College of the North via distance learning.”
IRTC thanks our partners for their support with this exciting opportunity for our communities and for joining us in celebrating our grand opening.
