Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It was called Manitou College. It was near Montreal, between Montreal and Maniwaki. It lasted about five years. It gave college degrees. And it was quite interesting, because for the first time in our lives, we were Mi’kmaq, Mohawk, Huron, and Algonquin young people all at the same place.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No. Well, I think, you know, it was a political decision. This is my opinion, but it is also the opinion of a lot of people. Our people at the college were becoming more active politically, and I think some people were afraid of that, because we were really political. And this was a college; this was the place where you form and learn about your political....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it's really important to have that discussion between different ministries, but we've been talking about this for a long time as first nations to ministries, and it doesn't happen. We can't wait, if they don't want to talk to each other. It's the same thing with Industry Canada and Indian Affairs when they talk about technology in schools.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. What is most important is a strong connection with the community. At the present time, provincial universities and colleges are not in tune with the needs of First Nations, whereas our organizations maintain an ongoing relationship with them. It's us, basically. The college established by the First Nations Education Council will belong to 22 communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I could send you all the material about the project. We are currently looking for a place to teach the courses. We are not required to use the premises of the two CEGEPs working with us, who will be checking to see that we meet the standards and giving us the appropriate accreditation, among other things.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's correct.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  They will be taught in the same place, both in English and French.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The project is actually scheduled to begin in September 2008. The job of adapting course material should begin very soon, in either December or January. We will be looking at content. In terms of band management and administration, the economy, languages and culture, it is entirely possible to adapt the course material.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, we have a project on the table, and it's pretty well developed. We are giving a certificate that we developed ourselves in first nations leadership. We developed the whole concept, and we have an agreement with Saint Paul University. The project is with a post-secondary institution.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would just like to conclude by proposing a solution that goes beyond simply increasing funding under the current student support policy. Consideration must be given to the possibility of allowing the First Nations to develop their own post-secondary services and institutions.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for inviting us to appear. Allow me to apologize for the absence of our Regional Chief, Ghislain Picard. He is very busy these days organizing the First Nations Socio-economic Forum, as most of you already know. However, I would like to pass on a brief message from Ghislain with respect to post-secondary education for First Nations students.