MRU and Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation sign practicum agreement serving needs of students and northern Indigenous community

Oct. 2, 2023

Mount Royal University and the Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation have signed a practicum agreement that will see students from Mount Royal’s Faculty of Health, Community and Education (FHCE) gain valuable experience working with the Nation and helping support their recreation needs.

Łutsel K'é is a fly in community in the Northwest Territories on the eastern arm of Great Slave Lake. In early 2023, Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation Chief James Marlowe approached MRU about hosting practicum students with the explicit purpose of having them involved in creating, designing and setting up recreation programs for the community.

After a site visit over the summer, MRU and Łutsel K'é have come to a five year agreement that will see students from the Faculty of Health, Community and Education have the option to take practicum placements within the Nation.

The agreement was signed on September 30th, Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In line with MRU’s Academic Plan, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations efforts are being made by all programs within the faculty to expand the range of practicum experiences to include rural, remote and international placements.

The signing of the agreement is an important first step in MRU’s relationship with the Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation. Further work is being done to see what other practicum opportunities might be available in the Łutsel K'é community for students in the other FHCE programs.

Quotes

“This signing is very important. Łutsel K'é is a small remote community and programs and services are needed for our youth. This partnership that we are creating is for the greater community and I think we are going to see a great benefit for our youth. Practicum students who choose to come here will benefit too as they experience our culture and our way of living.”

– Chief James Marlowe, Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation

 

“We are thrilled to sign this agreement with Łutsel K'é Dene First Nation as it will benefit our students and their people. Mount Royal University puts community at the heart of what it does and that speaks to our faculty which focuses on those community, healthcare and educational needs which are so important.”

– Dr. Stephen Price, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Health, Community and Education

 

“We are grateful to Chief Marlowe for opening the conversation and opportunity to work in partnership to provide a practicum setting for MRU students. They will be able to give back to the Łutsel K'é people by making a difference in the community and living the meaning of reconciliation.

– Maggie Quance, Associate Dean, Scholarship, Research and Community Engagement in the Faculty of Health Community and Education

 

For further information and interviews, please contact:

Haley Jarmain, Communications Officer
403.463.6930
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca