NORTHERN LAKES COLLEGE
College Maintains Program Offerings in Grouard While Divesting of Assets to Kapawe'no First Nation

Northern Lakes College is honoured to announce the approval of disposition of the Grouard Campus to Kapawe'no First Nation. This approval of disposition was authorized through a Ministerial Order by the Government of Alberta based on criteria set out in Section 7 of the Real Property Governance Act, 2024 and Section 67 of the Post-secondary Learning Act.

Northern Lakes College is a vibrant and unique Community College serving a stakeholder region of 164,000 square kilometres, encompassing numerous communities, including 15 First Nations and four Métis Settlements. Providing quality educational programs and services with respect for cultures and the needs of our communities remains our mission.

Since August 2021, Northern Lakes College has welcomed Kapawe'no First Nation to co-locate at our College campus in the Hamlet of Grouard. Since then, Kapawe'no First Nation School has experienced continuous growth in programming and enrolment. Subsequently, conversations commenced between Kapawe'no First Nation and Northern Lakes College to discuss the Nation's expansion and space requirements.

The Board of Governors of Northern Lakes College sees this approval for disposition as a collective journey toward understanding and reconciliation. Providing accessible educational opportunities to the Nation, the Hamlet of Grouard, and surrounding communities is a collaborative focus of both Kapawe'no First Nation and the College.

Northern Lakes College will remain in the Hamlet of Grouard continuing to provide educational opportunities to its students, and a presence in the community that is linked to its early years. A formal acquisition date of the Grouard Campus and related assets by Kapawe'no First Nation will occur on July 2, 2025.  

The Board of Governors of Northern Lakes College is committed to ongoing operations in Grouard for years to come. Programming and services to the residents of Kapawe'no First Nation, Grouard, and surrounding communities will continue. As part of the agreement, the College will be maintaining a space in the community to ensure local access remains.  Barry Sharkawi, Chair, Board of Governors

Kapawe'no First Nation appreciates Northern Lakes College sentiment on the journey to reconciliation. Our Nation has worked diligently to increase educational opportunities for our children and now has the space to expand our offerings and focus on future growth.  Chief Sydney Halcrow, Kapawe'no First Nation

The transfer of the College holdings in Grouard to Kapawe'no First Nation is a testament to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the College, Kapawe'no First Nation, and the community. We share a mutual commitment through increasing access to educational opportunities for residents.
Dr. Glenn Mitchell, President & CEO

Northern Lakes College will continue to serve students in the Hamlet of Grouard and surrounding area ongoing. We look forward to welcoming staff and students into our newly renovated space in the forthcoming weeks.