THUNDER BAY — Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute is sharing how it has supported and helped Indigenous students thrive.
An open house was held on Thursday, at 106 Centennial Square, where Oshki-Wenjack’s is located.
“We are doing our open house here to promote our programs and really let the community know that we are here and we partner with other colleges and universities to offer accredited programs, particularly ones that are needed in the NAN communities,” said Dorothy Roberts, director of student success at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute.
The institute has health programs, early childhood education, business, mental health, social service worker programs, along with a bachelor of social work, Roberts said.
“We're excited to offer those programs to anyone that actually wants to take the programs, but our focus is on making Indigenous students feel welcome, feel comfortable and continue to see the same similar faces.”
Roberts said the learning at Oshki-Wenjack encompasses understanding the Indigenous culture.
Smaller class sizes, the inclusion of cultural values in lessons, and the delivery of education is what sets Oshki-Wenjack apart from other post-secondary institutions, she said.
“We take the same curriculum; we just divide it a little differently. In the typical four semester, we might go five semesters with.
“During that semester you would come here for the first two weeks, which would be an intense block, you're on campus in Thunder Bay. Five weeks you're online in the evenings, then two more weeks intense, five weeks online in the evening. That would be one complete semester,” she said.
Roberts said there are a couple of programs that are only offered online, but most are what they call blended delivery, which is “blended of being at home and in the classroom.”
There are typically 10 to 20 students in a program.
“You really do get to know your students, you get to know your teachers.”
The relationship is great between students and teachers, Roberts said, adding that the students have physical, emotional and mental health services available to them.
“It's very difficult for the rural Indigenous students, as well as some students that don't really click with a larger institution, they don't feel as comfortable, so we wanted to offer programs and have a place where students can feel at home and that the learning is equivalent to anywhere else.
“We do have accredited programs and we do understand what the issues are, we listen to leadership from Nishnawbe Aski Nation on what they need. We want programs that support and help prevent some of the tragedies that have been epidemic in the north,” she said.
Roberts said Oshki-Wenjack has a very high graduation rate, higher than the standard in Ontario.
“I think part of that is because of the relationships that we make with our students. We have students that have become chiefs in their community. We have a really good reputation with our nurses that have graduated from the program,” she said.
For anyone who may have missed the tour, Roberts said Oshki-Wenjack operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and would be happy to schedule a tour of the campus and explain how its different.
Oshki-Wenjack can be contacted by email or calling (807) 626-1880.
