Metis Nation of Ontario and Cambrian College Sign Agreement

SUDBURY, ON--(Marketwired - May 14, 2015) - Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Cambrian College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the College.

The MOU strengthens and formalizes the long-standing positive working relationship between MNO and Cambrian College and establishes several key areas for collaboration and partnership including joint commitments aimed at:

• improving Métis postsecondary and education and training outcomes;
• working collaboratively to establish partnerships around ongoing skills development and training;
• identifying ways to increase college recruitment, retention and graduation rates for Métis students;
• increasing Métis participation in and access to current and future Cambrian College programs and services.

MNO Chair France Picotte said, "Cambrian College is the twelfth 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 college addresses those needs."

The MOU with Cambrian College 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 Chair Picotte, "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. The agreement with Cambrian College also builds on the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, which the province renewed in 2014, for another five years."

Cambrian College President Bill Best said: "This agreement provides a strong framework for meeting the specific needs of Métis people through education and training, applied research, scholarships and bursaries, and recruitment and retention tactics. We are pleased to partner with the MNO to explore new opportunities and to invest in resources that will continue to build a bright future for generations of Métis."