A Bright Future for Kiuna Institution in Odanak 

Following the closure of Manitou College in the 1970s, a new college opened its doors in 2011. Kiuna Institution, located in the Abenaki community of Odanak, is the result of a long process initiated by the First Nations Education Council and commitments made by the governments of Québec and Canada at the 2006 First Nations Socioeconomic Forum in Mashteuiatsh. 

On the eve of the start of its eighth school year, Kiuna offers students a unique environment where culturally adapted educational services are based on Aboriginal history, culture and traditions. The goal of Kiuna Institution, a bilingual college, is “to shape competent First Nations citizens in their respective fields, proud inheritors of their culture, socially responsible, open to the world and concerned for the well-being of their communities.” (www.kiuna-college.com) The institution also seeks to raise awareness among non-Aboriginals, which is why Kiuna is “open to any student who wants to learn more about First Nations and their unique cultures.” (Idem.)

For Prudence Hannis, Associate Director, and Pierre Lainé, Student Life Coordinator (personal interview 2016), Kiuna’s strength lies in the sense of community and the engagement of its teachers. [TRANSLATION] “Everyone understands the community spirit that prevails here … Everyone wants to be involved. We stay late, we make soup, we babysit, etc. It’s a community!” says Hannis, pointing out that 20% of the Francophone students have family responsibilities. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, there were 92 photos of graduates on the young college’s “wall of fame.” Most of the graduates have gone on to pursue a higher education at prestigious universities.