About the Institution
Our History – Cape Breton University has enjoyed a strong connection with the Aboriginal communities of Atlantic Canada since its earliest beginnings. Long before such events were commonplace, CBU invited Grand Chief Donald Marshall to join the university’s first President in 1976 to turn sod for what would become the home of Cape Breton University. But in the 1980’s when the first mature students entered CBU in small numbers, they faced monumental challenges. These students became leaders, carving the path for those who would follow. Many of the earliest graduates would move on to graduate degrees and diverse careers. Several returned to become faculty and staff at what is now the Unama’ki College of Cape Breton University, working with Elders, academics and members of the community to develop educational opportunities for a new generation. Today, after 30 years of relationship building, program development and mutual commitment, more than 250 Aboriginal students attend CBU. Close to 500 have graduated over the years and the university has the strongest record in the Atlantic region of providing these students with post-secondary education and research opportunities. Despite these successes, CBU has constantly tried to improve its record. In 1998, the Mi’kmaq College Institute was established with the goal of assisting Aboriginal students at CBU with both their scholastic and personal needs. It also aimed to create a knowledge centre in which collaboration and sharing on matters of mutual concern could take place between researchers and educators, university faculty and Aboriginal communities. In 2006, President John Harker asked a task force to review 30 years of Aboriginal education at CBU in the broad context of Atlantic Canada. It aimed to identify not just past successes but the key challenges that remained. The discussions and community consultations that took place formed the basis for the transformation of the Mi’kmaq College Institute into the Unama’ki College of Cape Breton University.

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