End of community learning centres brings uncertainty, opportunity for small N.W.T. communities

The announcement that Aurora College will close community learning centres in N.W.T. has brought uncertainty for small communities that rely on the facilities to fill a number of needs.

Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Erwin Elias said that in his community, the community learning centre has been a "huge asset" used for more than just course upgrading. 

Right now, some high school students are using classrooms in the building while Mangilaluk School, which serves students from kindergarten to Grade 12, is undergoing renovations. The community learning centre has also been used to lead training, and it has housed programs like Tuktoyaktuk's makerspace, which provided free tools and space for artisans.

"It would have a huge negative impact if it would be taken away," Elias said.

He is also concerned that course upgrading programs offered online or at Aurora College campuses in larger communities wouldn't be a good option for many in Tuktoyaktuk.

"Having something hands-on is always better," he said. "I think it will be a huge loss." 

Fort Good Hope also has a community learning centre. Chief Collin Pierrot says the end of the program could be a good opportunity for more Indigenous-led learning and training.

He said over the last few years, Fort Good Hope has seen enrolment in the upgrading program decline, especially as more and more courses have moved from in-person instruction to online. He said its a model that doesn't always work for youth in his community.

"Everybody's used to learning from someone in front of them," he said. "If you're going to learn something from an elder they are gonna sit in front of you and teach you." 

With less course upgrading happening, he said Fort Good Hope has started to use the facility for other kinds of training: from firearms safety certifications to carpentry instruction through the Yamoga Land Corporation.

He said the First Nation is hoping to buy the building to expand their offerings. One thing they would like to add immediately is Indigenous language instruction.

"We want to teach our own people how we feel they should be taught," he said.

CBC spoke to Angela James, Aurora College president, and Joe Handley, the chair of Aurora College's board, about what would happen to community learning centres once the program ends on June 30.

James said that most of the buildings are owned by the N.W.T. government, and that the territorial government will be in charge of deciding what happens to them. 

"If the community wants to use the building for other purposes they would just have to talk to the [N.W.T. government] and apply there," said Handley.