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A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Historic Background <> ACIMOWIN (Blue Quills' Story on Video) <>

<> 30th Anniversary Commemoration <> Chief Blue Quill <>

<> Stanely Redcrow 1972 Interview <> papâmihâw asiniy <>

Since 1971, Blue Quills First Nations College (BQFNC) has been a locally controlled Indigenous education centre serving the academic and training needs of people of all cultures, encouraging everyone to experience studying in a unique socio-cultural and academic environment.  As an Indigenous non-profit educational institution, a prime objective is to promote a sense of pride in Indigenous heritage and reclaim traditional knowledge and practices.  Blue Quills is governed by seven appointed Board members, each representing one of the seven local First Nations communities: Beaver Lake, Cold Lake, Frog Lake, Whitefish Lake, Heart Lake, Kehewin, and Saddle Lake, plus one Elder from the Saddle Lake First Nation.  These communities represent almost 17,500 people.

In 2006, Blue Quills will celebrate its 35th year as Canada’s first Indigenous controlled education centre.  Throughout 35 years, Blue Quills invested in building relationships and partnerships: including Maskwachees Cultural College, Athabasca University, Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan Community College, Lakeland College, Keyano College, Nechi Institute, University of Calgary, and San Diego State University.

Blue Quills is a founding member of the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC), partnering with other Indigenous institutions and programs to advance programming and educational opportunities for adults ensuring an Indigenous learning environment and content.

In 1998, Blue Quills initiated the Leadership and Management Program which is founded on a cultural paradigm, designed to facilitate personal and organizational growth and change for all cultures of people.  This program is the first degree offered by an independent Indigenous institution in this province, and is transferable to mainstream institutions in the region.  The launch of this program marks a definitive transformation for the College, from being dependent on mainstream institutions and  programming, to designing our own curriculum and delivery models reflecting the wholistic paradigm.

In November 2000, we were accredited by the First Nations Accreditation Board, offering the most powerful and meaningful accreditation, coming from our communities and future employers of our graduates.  Through the current structures and processes mandated by the Chiefs and the First Nations, this accreditation has allowed BQFNC to retain the integrity to the protection of our Treaty rights. The message that we believe in ourselves is an inspiration to our children and grandchildren; something we can leave to those who will come after us.

 

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