University College of the North

University College of the North (UCN)—formerly Keewatin Community College—is a post-secondary institution located in Northern Manitoba, Canada, with two main campuses in The Pas and Thompson, respectively. UCN has a student body of approximately 2,400 annually and a staff of approximately 400.

History
Northern Manitoba Vocational Center, later named Keewatin Community College, was established in The Pas, Manitoba, in 1966. The school would go on to open a campus in Thompson in the early 1980s.

On July 1, 2004, University College of the North was established with the passage of the University of the North Act in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, as the successor to Keewatin Community College.

Locations
UCN has two main campuses, in The Pas and Thompson. There are 12 regional centres, 9 of which are in First Nations communities: Churchill, Cross Lake (Pimicikamak), Easterville (Chemawawin), Flin Flon, Pukatawagan (Mathias Colomb), Grand Rapids (Misipawistik), Nelson House (Nisichawayasihk), Norway House, Oxford House (Bunibonibee), St. Theresa Point, Split Lake (Tataskweyak), and Swan River. In partnership with local Cree Nation authorities, UCN co-sponsors public libraries in Pukatawagan, Norway House, and Chemawawin.

Programs
UCN offers more than 40 degree, diploma, and certificate programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Trades and Technology, Faculty of Health, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Business, and as part of community-based contract training and Apprenticeship training.

Scholarships and bursaries
The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. University College of the North scholarships for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis students include: Manitoba Hydro Second Year to Final Year Engineering Technology Bursary

Aboriginal
The UCN Council of Elders provides guidance through the sharing of traditional knowledge, beliefs and values. There are Aboriginal Centres at UCN's two main campuses. The Mamawechetotan Centre in The Pas and ininiwi kiskinwamakewin Centre in Thompson offer programs that promote cross-cultural awareness. There is a great deal of diversity that is well respected.