Grants Awarded for Aboriginal Programs at Northern Lights College

Two Aboriginal programs at Northern Lights College have been approved for grants from a Special Projects fund by the province.

Almost $200,000 from the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund will go toward courses on Aboriginal culture. One course, called 'Renewing the Spirit', will bring in Aboriginal leaders from the community as mentors, while another called "Capacity Building and Cultural Education Support" will teach cultural knowledge to assist with treaty readiness.

College registrar and Dean of Learner Support Services Cyndy Lorincz says the school is excited about the grants, and adds it will help develop leadership skills within the Aboriginal community.

The Special Projects fund will distribute almost $3 million this year to post-secondary education at 25 public schools across the province. The fund was set up last year as part of the Province's $65-million strategy to help close the gap in education opportunities between First Nations and other British Columbians.