In-Community Program

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. Original 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.

Through modular delivery, Indigenous 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.

Some benefits of the In-Community Program are 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 Program

“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 take toward successfully completing 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. Elmitek intends to make the transition into full-time study on campus at CBU a successful experience for Mi’kmaw students.