Offered at CBU for more than 30 years, the In-Community program was created in collaboration with local Mi’kmaw communities to address numerous barriers to post-secondary education for Mi’kmaw students. These degree programs are designed to support L’nu students on a successful pathway through universityOriginal iterations of the programs focused on bridging cohorts of mature Mi’kmaw students into CBU degree programs and supporting first-language Mi’kmaw speakers with their post-secondary studies. Present-day programs attract newly graduated high school students and mature students who want to complete a degree.
Several programs have emerged through collaboration with Mi’kmaw communities. Active programs are still running and include: Elmitek, a year-one university pathway program delivered in Eskasoni, and the modularized BA, BACS, BSc, BEd and BBA degree programs, which are delivered in Indigenous communities across Mi’kma’ki. To date, In-Community programs have been offered in the First Nations communities of Eskasoni, Membertou, Wagmatcook, We’koqma’q, Potlotek, Pictou Landing, Paq’tnkek, Millbrook, Sipekne’katik, Tobique, Listuguj and Gesgapegiag. Addressing a nationwide need, the In-Community BSc cohorts prepare students to enroll in designated Indigenous student seats in the CBU School of Nursing.
In-community degree programs are designed to support L’nu students on a successful pathway through university. In-community programming offers:
Through modular delivery, L’nu students can complete an entire degree exclusively in their communities. The modular format allows students to take one course at a time in a condensed format for the duration of the degree. L’nu students benefit from small class sizes, specialized student support, degree programs and/or courses held locally in students’ communities, access to community Elders and knowledge keepers, and inclusion of Indigenous perspectives within courses.
“Elmitek” is a Mi’kmaw expression for showing someone a path to follow. The Elmitek Program offered through Unama’ki College maps a path students may travel toward the successful completion of a university education.
The Elmitek Program is a one-year, for-credit, post-secondary program designed for Mi’kmaw students who wish to further their education by attending university. The program is offered in Eskasoni, with classes held both in community and on campus at CBU. Elmitek intends to make the future transition into full-time study on campus at CBU a successful experience for Mi’kmaw students.
Are you interested in bringing at CBU degree program to your community? Learn more below.
CBU offers a cost-share model for In-Community programming. CBU provides in-kind support for local classroom venues, classroom infrastructure and cost sharing of any travel costs for faculty to teach locally.
L’nu students who enrol in in-community programming pay the same Tuition & Fees as on-campus CBU students.
Programs available for In-Community Programming include:
Other programs (like the BBA, BEd, MBA, MEd, BSc or BASE degrees) may be offered for In-Community Programming but have additional complexities associated (like necessary access to off-campus lab space). Please contact Stephanie McCormick, In-Community Programming Coordinator, directly to talk about what programs are possible for In-Community programming.
It will take minimum one year to prepare for program design, student recruitment and student admissions for a new In-Community program.
