January 18, 1999 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia is offering a new certificate program in Métis Studies that has been developed with the Prince George Métis Elders' Society and local Métis leaders. This is the first university-level certificate in Métis Studies in Canada.

The program focuses on the Métis community and includes courses on the Cree language, Métis history and culture, and contemporary Métis issues. "This community is the product of interaction between First Nations and Europeans since the initial settlement of Canada and has long been part of the western Canadian and BC landscape," says UNBC First Nations professor Mike Evans. "In this area, Métis people helped build Fort George and the communities of the Peace River region. Today, the Métis community numbers about 1000 in Prince George alone and roughly 12,000 in northern BC."

Courses are being taught at the Prince George campus, UNBC's Quesnel teaching centre, and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. Initial course offerings have attracted about 50 students.

Certificate programs consist of ten courses (compared to 40 or more courses for a bachelors degree) and all courses are transferable to a bachelors degree program. UNBC also has certificate programs in General First Nations Studies, First Nations Public Administration, and Nisga'a Studies.

Program Chair Jim McDonald says this certificate is another example of the University's community-based programming meeting community needs:

• The University has more than 20 part-time First Nations instructors and elders teaching language & culture courses in their own communities. Courses on Tsimshian, Nisga'a, Haisla, Witsuwit'en, and Carrier are being taught for the first time at university.

• The University is offering an advanced seminar course that will have students work with the Lheidli T'enneh to document traditional land use.

• More than 180 First Nations students are registered at the University.