Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 3, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The University of Regina renewed its relationship with Aurora College, offering its social work program at the Yellowknife campus instead of Fort Smith.

The relationship between the two schools was strengthened at an agreement signing ceremony at the campus in Yellowknife Nov. 15.

With low enrolment numbers, the program was moved to Yellowknife last fall in hopes of attracting students with bigger facilities and an urban setting.

Since 2001, the college has offered the joint program that gives students a diploma in Social Work from Aurora College, and a degree in Social Work from the University of Regina.

"Moving the program to Yellowknife creates a number of opportunities," said Maurice Evans, the president of Aurora college, emphasizing the importance of educating Northerners in social work.

"We are in a period of huge development in the North and unfortunately that comes with a lot of social issues."

Since Northerners better understand the issues that arise up here, and have a better understanding of what it was like before all this development, Evans said training our own social workers should improve circumstances.

With the program now offered in Yellowknife, Evans hopes to get more and more graduates. There are now 16 students enrolled full-time in the program and two part-time students.

"This is a milestone in re-vitalizing the program," said Warren St. Germaine, acting deputy minister of the Department of Health and Social Services, who also emphasized the need for social workers from the North. "If we're able to develop our own students in the program, we have a far greater chance of success."

The renewed agreement wasn't just about relocating the program, but also making it possible for students to earn a bachelor's degree.

While the original agreement in 2001 made the provisions for students to have their credits transferred to the University of Regina, the new agreement has worked out the kinks to make sure there are no administrative barriers keeping students from continuing on.

The University of Regina also has a relationship with Yukon college, so students can choose to finish their degree in the North.

That's what Janell Dautell plans on doing. Born and raised in the NWT, Dautell was originally thinking of going to Edmonton to get her degree. Loving the North, she's pleased she can stay here to finish her degree.

"It lessens the burden of moving away from family and friends," said Dautell. "It makes it easier being able to stay here."