Media.Knet.Ca

For immediate release

(SAULT STE. MARIE – May 8th, 2009): – The Ontario Native Welfare Administrators’ Association (ONWAA), a provincial organization representing First Nation Social Service Administrators, and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, ON are pleased to announce that they have entered into a partnership agreement to provide academic instruction to First Nation Social Services Administrators in Ontario. The signing of the agreement will take place at Algoma University on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 1:00pm in the ICT Board Room (NW306).

With support from the Ontario government, this multi-year partnership will assist ONWAA in providing an accredited First Nation Social Services Administrator certificate to its membership across the province. By October 2010 ONWAA and Algoma University will have provided the opportunity to participate in training and educational instruction to 190 First Nation social services administrators located in 110 First Nation communities throughout Ontario.

“This partnership further assists ONWAA in making strategic investments in First Nations aimed at reducing employment barriers and strengthening First Nation local delivery capacity” stated Jody Waddilove, President of the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators’ Association. The partnership is also a significant development for Algoma University’s Community Economic and Social Development program.

“Algoma University has a strong mandate to provide education to First Nation communities, as set out in our Covenant with Shingwauk Education Trust” says Dr. Celia Ross, President of Algoma U. “This new partnership with ONWAA provides an exciting opportunity to meet the learning needs identified by First Nations, by developing curricula designed to address issues key to their communities”.

This initiative is central to ONWAA’s vision to increase access to culturally appropriate professional development and supports to front-line workers. ONWAA expects that First Nation social and community capacity will benefit as a result of this partnership, in addition to the professional growth which will be experienced through successful completion of the university curricula.

About Algoma University
Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology; Algoma U is committed to offering a personal education experience unlike any university in Ontario. As the Canadian home of the internationally recognised MSc CGT from the University of Abertay Dundee, Algoma University is at the forefront of computer games technology education. Algoma University also offers accelerated second degree programs in Business Administration and Computer Science on its Brampton campus. To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca.

Media Contacts

Ontario Native Welfare Administrators’ Association:
Micheal Nadeau
Executive Director
Garden River First Nation
705-942-3157
mnadeau@onwaa.com

Algoma University:
Donna Woldanski
Divisional Directory of External Relations
Algoma University
705.949.2301 ext. 4120
donna.woldanski@algomau.ca