Aurora College’s pending closure of all its community learning centres across the Northwest Territories by April 1, has raised significant concerns among Dene Leaders, educators, students, and community agencies.
The decision, which affects 19 community learning centres, is poised to have “profound implications for education accessibility, particularly for Dene populations living in remote communities,” stated a Dene Nation release today.
Denı́nu Kų́ę́ (Fort Resolution) Community Learning Centre. (Photo courtesy of Aurora College)
Dene National Chief George Mackenzie stated that the Dene were not consulted on closing the community learning centres.
“These centres provide necessary adult upgrading and skill development for those who struggle in the NWT school system,” he stated.
“These centres help Dene remain at home, connected to their land, and maintain a connection to family and their culture. Keeping our Community Learning Centres is important for keeping our Dene languages and traditions alive while helping people develop their skills while contributing to local resources.”
The Dene Nation urges the GNWT and Aurora College to engage in meaningful consultations with affected communities to create alternative solutions that prioritize educational access and cultural preservation.
Closing these centres threatens to magnify existing educational disparities in the NWT. Many residents, particularly remote Dene communities, depend on local learning centres for foundational education and skills development.
The loss of these facilities could lead to increased dropout rates and deter the ability of individuals to pursue further education or employment opportunities.
Closing these centres will result in impacts on young families with young children, those struggling to get out of addictions and other life circumstances, stated the release.
The community learning centres have historically served as vital hubs for education, cultural preservation, and community engagement, particularly for Indigenous learners who face systemic barriers in accessing higher education.
Aurora College has justified this closure as part of a larger plan to create a polytechnic university.
The Dene Nation notes this transition overlooks the unique needs of local communities that rely heavily on these centres for literacy programs and vocational training.
The College’s Board of Governors last week cited low enrolment and completion rates, for the “prohibitively expensive, outdated, and ineffective,” Community Learning Centre program, which started 25 years ago.
